STUDENT INDUCTION PROGRAMME Prepared by Dr Dibyajyoti Mahanta

STUDENT INDUCTION PROGRAMME Prepared by Dr Dibyajyoti Mahanta Dean(Study Centre) KKHSOU

Ø The Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University was established under the provision of the KKHSOU Act- 2005, enacted by the Govt. of Assam. The notification was published in the Assam Gazette (extraordinary) dated 29/9/05. It has been recognized by the former Distance Education Council, New Delhi (now it is known as DEB, UGC).

Ø The University Grants Commission has empowered the University to award degrees under Section 22 of UGC Act, 1956. The Govt. of Assam has recognized all the programmes of the University for job and Higher Study vide letter no. AHE/228/2007/330, dated 8 May 2009. It is the fourteenth of its kind along with IGNOU and the only state Open University in the whole of NE India.

Ø The Mission of the University is to provide opportunities of higher education through the open and distance learning mode to all those who are interested in pursuing higher education. Ø Details about the University can be seen in the University website which is www. kkhsou. in

Learner Support Services of KKHSOU q Social Networking Support (Through Facebook official page) q Online Ticket System/Complaint System) q Mobile Application (available in Google Play Store/KKHSOU Web page) q SMS / Telephonic Support q FAQ / Email Based Support q Community Radio Service q Akashvani Phone-in Programme q Ekalavya , E-bidya, E-SLM

Quality measures to be initiated by the Centre for the stake holders Induction Programme – The Induction Programme is to be arranged for the learners on ODL system at the beginning of the session. 2. Regular Counselling Sessions – Regular counselling sessions are to be arranged by the Study Centre on Sundays. These are found to be very beneficial for the learners. It is strongly recommended to the Study Centre for arranging the Counselling Sessions regularly. (contd) 1.

3. Counselling Sessions for the learners in the ODL system is not the normal classroom transactions carried out in the conventional mode. The learners are expected to come to the counselling sessions after carefully consulting their SLMs so that they can actively participate in the counselling sessions. In the counselling sessions, the counsellor and the learners should equally participate and interact.

4. 5. Assignments – Working the assignments help the learners in their preparation for the Examinations. It is mandatory for the learners to submit the Assignments on time, failing which they can’t pass the Examination. The Centre would take appropriate arrangements for collection of the assignments for next course of actions as instructed by the university.

6. 7. Issue of SLM – The University provides the SLMs to the Centres well ahead of the admission. So a learner is to be given the related SLMs by the Centre immediately after the admission on production of the admission receipt. Learners are advised to see the correct entry of the names and other information printed in the admission related documents. If found otherwise, please contact the Centre or the IT Cell of the university immediately or use the Complaint System in the website.

It is mandatory for the learner to carry the Admit card and the Registration Card to the Examination Hall. Otherwise a learner is not allowed to sit in the examination. 9. Please visit the University Website regularly for the latest updates 10. e-SLMs of all new courses are available in the Website as well as in the Mobile App of the University. 8.

11. 12. Preparation of the Audio-Visual materials are in process and would be available through You. Tube within a short span of time. The ICT -based support services like— Audio-Visual Programmes AIR Educational Service, Internet Radio, Jnan Taranga Community Radio, Ekalavya (AIR programme), Inter Study Centre Phone Service, Mobile Application, Email Support, Learner Portal, Social Networking Support (through Facebook) are also available.

Maximum Duration of the Programmes At present the maximum durations of the programmes are shown below. But there may be changes if directed by UGC • Master Degree Programmes (4 Semesters) Maximum of 6 years • Bachelor Degree (6 Sem) Maximum of 8 years • Diploma/P G Diploma Programmes (One Year/ 2 Sem): Maximum of 4 years • Certificate Programme (6 Months): Maximum of 2 years

• Those learners who are unable to complete the programme within the specified period, shall require to register/apply for admission afresh. • The University offers both Pass and Major Course in Bachelor’s Degree Programmes. • Major Course is offered from 3 rd Semester onwards. The intending learners opting for major subjects must have the same subject as one of the elective subjects in the 1 st and 2 nd Semesters. • For change of elective subjects the learners are requested to go through the prospectus. Also it is available in the website.

Important points for the Study Centre 1. 2. The university has attached high priority in the functioning of the Study Centres for the interest of the learners. Quality conduct of examinations is a priority of the University. The Centre is to form a Study Centre Management Committee (05 member committee) for improving the management mechanism of the Centre.

Study Centre Management Committee It is mandatory to form a Study Centre Management Committee with the following members • Chairperson: Centre in-Charge of the Centre • Member Secretary: Coordinator of the Centre • Members: a. G. B. member of the College b. President, Teachers’ unit of the College c. One teacher( to be nominated by the Centre in- Charge) Special Invitee d. Vice Principal of the College e. Secretary of the Teachers’ unit of the college

3. 4. 5. 6. Regular monitoring of the Centre by the Centre in-Charge helps in its activities Submission of the Counsellors' List to University by the Centre is essential In case the Coordinator is changed then the matter is to be reported to the university and the new appointment is to be approved by the University. The learners will get the Routine of the Counselling Sessions at the beginning of the session. The Centre must forward the routine the University regularly.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. It is a normal practice that the Centre submits the Audited Statement of Account annually to the University It is advisable for the Centre to keep the Attendance Record of the learners regularly for onward submission to the University. If Workshops for the Counselors are arranged in the Centre then it would be beneficial. Sign Board: The Sign Board of the Study Centre should be displayed at a permanent place in the college. Notice Board: There should be a Notice Board in the Study Centre for the purpose of information and notices to the learners.

12. 13. Wall Magazine: The Study Centre should set up a Wall Magazine in the centre. The articles published there may be preserved for publication as a compiled volume later. In addition to the regular engagements of permanent members of the Teaching Staff of the College/ Institute in the Counselling Sessions, it is advisable to engagement renowned educationists for counselling classes and motivational lectures for improvement of academic environment in the Centre.

14. 15. Information of Awards and other activities of the University are to be given to the learners (should be displayed in the notice board) All counselling sessions are held on Sundays only. There will be at least 30 counselling sessions for each course (paper) in the annual system, and 15 counselling sessions for each course (paper) in the semester system

The Centre should take initiative in the process of forming an Alumni /Alumnae Association in the Centre. 17. The Centre is to keep the record of the Divyanga (differently abled) learners for onward submission to the university. 18. The Centre should keep record of the involvement of the learners in extra Curricular activities and other good practices, if any. 16.

A few other Important Points § As admission is a continuous process, and it is not connected to examination results, nobody should wait for the results. A learner will have to take admission to the next Semester within one month from the last date of examination of the previous Semester. A learner who could not take admission in the next semester within that stipulated time may take admission with a fine of Rs. 300/- during the next month.

�Under special circumstances, a learner may be allowed admission in the next Semester even beyond 2 months, but before the issue of notification of examination of that Semester on application with sufficient reasons along with a payment of fine of Rs. 500/�If any double payment is made for any technical reason, the learner is to fill up the Complaint Ticket available in the university website.

�After issue of notification of examination of a particular semester, admission may be allowed to a learner in that semester without fine, but the learner will have to appear in the examination of that semester in the next year. �Please refer to the Prospectus, the Hand Book for the Study Centre and SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) of Examination for necessary information.

§ Study centre transfer format is available in the University website. The duly endorsed form by the Co-ordinators of both the centres with a Bank challan of Rs 1000/ shall be entertained only up to the date of declaration of examination schedule for the Semester in which the learner is studying at that time. However, the transfer will be allowed without fees on the following grounds§ In case of medical emergency of the learner or his/her family members. § In case, any study centre is closed, or any programme is discontinued.

§ The last date of application for change of subjects after admission (if any) will be two months from the last date of admission in that semester. The learner is to pay Rs. 1000/- plus the cost of SLM (Rs. 75/-per booklet for undergraduate, and graduate programmes and Rs 150/- for post graduate programmes) along with the application for change of subject. (Please refer the prospectus for details)

§ § A learner shall forfeit his/her examination fee in the event of his/her failure to appear in an examination. However, he/she is not required to pay the course fee for the particular Semester and can appear the examination to be held subsequently/later only by paying the examination fee. For Migration Certificate, a learner is required to apply to the Registrar in plain paper with a fees of Rs 300/ only by Demand Draft and to surrender the Original Registration Card issue by KKHSOU.

Some information for the Centre Tenure of Coordinator: The tenure of the Coordinator of any KKHSOU Study Centre is fixed for two (2) years as per the Ordinance of the University. However, it may be renewed for the next term only subject to satisfactory performance to be assessed by the University. The Coordinator should be a permanent member, preferably senior, of the teaching faculty of the parent college whose appointment as Coordinator must be approved by the Governing Body of the College. The University is give approval of the appointment.

�The learners should keep regular contact with the Centre. �The Centre can initiate for setting a library for the learners. �The Counsellors should encourage the learners to take part in classroom interactions. If a learner makes it a regular practice of going through the SLMs before coming to the classes then he/she can easily interact with the counsellors.

Regarding Examinations v The University conducts term-end examination once for the Odd Semesters and once for the Even Semesters in a year. The learners can appear in the examination only after the minimum duration prescribed for the course of study. v. Examination schedule indicating the date and time of examination for each course is sent to all the study centres in advance. The same is also notified in the University website v. Mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside the examination halls.

v Eligibility of the learners to appear in the Term - End Examination are I. Must have valid Registration/Enrolment Number. II. Must have opted and pursued the prescribed courses. III. Must submit the assignments within due dates before taking the examination. IV. Must submit the examination forms on time along with the requisite fees, if appearing for Back or Not Clear subject(s) V. Must collect the admit cards.

v. Learners are advised to keep regular touch with the centre and explore (visit) the university website for recent updates. v Please keep in mind the maximum duration of the programme where you have enrolled. v. Learners may take admission in the next semester even without appearing the exam of the previous semester, but are not allowed to appear the exam of one semester without taking admission in all the previous semesters.

Submission of Assignments v. Assignments are integral parts of the total evaluation process of exam. The rules regarding assignments are as below- I. Assignments will be given to the learners by the coordinator of the centre. II. These are also available in the website. III. The learners need to complete the assignments and submit it to the study centres for evaluation within three months of the admission in the semester.

IV. The learners may take back the evaluated assignments from the Coordinators against written receipts for their preparation for examination. But must resubmit those to the Centre immediately well ahead of examination of that semester, The coordinator of the study centre is responsible to send the evaluated marks to the Examination Branch by online only in the Examination Portal within 30 days from the start of the concerned semester examination.

VI. VII. No marks will be accepted by the Examination Branch after 30 days from the start of the Exam and the learners will be declared as ABS (Absent) in the assignment leading to failure of the learner in the subject. Any assignment submitted after 30 days from start of examination will be considered only after one year i. e. in the examination of the next session. The loss of one year of the learner will be the responsibility of the Coordinator of the study centre and the learner himself/herself. The matter should be very carefully observed.

VIII. IX. Examination Form: A regular learner is not required to fill up any examination form to appear in the term- end examination. However, a learner of back/arrear course, shall have to fill up the examination form. The examination form is to be sent to the Controller of Examinations along with the requisite fee within stipulated time through the concerned Study Centre. For any matters the learners are advised to communicate with the university through the Coordinator in order to get rid of a problem.

DISSERTATIONS � Dissertation in Master’s Degree: A learner has to prepare a dissertation under the guidance of a professionally qualified supervisor to be selected in consultation with the Coordinator. The learner has to select a problem related to the subject and should develop instruments for collection and interpretation of data and preparation of research report. The length of the report may be between 60 -70 pages. Detailed guidelines shall be made available in the website.

�Time Period of Dissertation: Dissertation work has to start from 3 rd Semester, and the final report has to be submitted within the first 3 months of the 4 th Semester. The topic of study, review of literature, research questions, objectives of study and method of data collection are to be decided and finalized by the learner in consultation with the guide or supervisor during the first part of 3 rd Semester. Data collection should follow immediately.

�During the 4 th Semester, the collected data has to be interpreted analysed. The report has to be prepared and submitted within 3 months. �Submission of Project Report/Dissertation- The learner has to prepare 3 (three) sets of the Project Report / Dissertation for submission. One set is to be sent to the University through the Study Centre, one set is to be submitted at the time of viva-voce examination and the third set is to be kept with the learner and may be required to be submitted to the University afterwards.

Information on Consolidated Mark sheet The University provides Consolidated Mark sheet to all the learners who have passed all the semester examinations of a Programme. The Consolidated Marksheet will reflect the semester-wise score. The learners need to pay the fee for consolidated mark sheet at the time of admission in the final Semester. There is also a provision for Transcript Mark sheet against a prescribed fee, for the issue of which the University will take approximately three months time.

Withheld Results: For declaration of withheld result the learner should apply to the Controller of Examinations (through the centre along with requisite documents) within 30 days from the date of declaration of the result of that semester. The learner may contact the Coordinator for knowing the reason for withheld of result. A fine of 1000/- is to be paid if requested for results after 30 days but not beyond 90 days from the date of declaration of the result of that semester. After 90 days, no request will be entertained and the result will be updated as failed.

Back Examination �Back Exam Rules: For clearing a subject, a minimum of 35% marks (comprises the marks obtained from term-end examination and home assignments) shall have to be secured by a learner in each course. Maximum four attempts are allowed in each course to clear the Back subject/course, if any.

Back in Aggregate (for Master’s Programme only) �If a learner fails to get 45% marks in aggregate despite of getting pass marks in individual courses, the learner will not be eligible to get the certificate for Master Programme. Such a learner will be allowed to appear in the examination (theory only) of that course in any Semester for improving his/her aggregate percentage. However, the learner will have to complete the course within the maximum duration prescribed by the University

�The learners pursuing Master’s Degree shall be given the option of appearing for Betterment. Only one chance will be given to a candidate for betterment in the immediately next examination. To appear for betterment, a candidate has to apply using specific betterment form which is available in the website. The chance for betterment can be availed only for two papers in one Semester, and betterment is applicable only to those candidates who have passed all the papers in single attempt

�If there is any error in the Registration Card of the learner then it is to be sent to the Controller of Examinations for correction within one month of issue of the Card. But if applied after one month then the learner will have to pay Rs. 400. 00 for correction in the Registration Card. Same is the process for corrections in the Admit Card or Mark Sheets, but the fees is Rs 100. 00 for each document if applied after one month.

�One can request for re-scrutiny/photocopy/re- evaluation of maximum 3 answer scripts within one month from the declaration of the result with a payment of fees of Rs. 100/-, Rs. 200/- and Rs. 300/- respectively. Time required for the declaration of result of each paper is maximum 30 days. After getting the result of re-scrutiny, he/she can apply for photocopy. Then again, maximum 30 days for photocopy shall be required. Details are available in the university website.

�Learner can change examination centre only after getting the approval from the Co. E. For this, the candidate has to apply to the Co. E mentioning his/her problems in detail at least one month prior to the commencement of the said examination. The Co. E will examine the documents and other factors, and accordingly may allow the candidate to sit in the examination centre as desired by him/her and will have to pay Rs 300/- as new examination centre fees.

�For a DUPLICATE document for loss of the earlier ORIGINAL document, the learner has to apply to the university through the Centre by enclosing the following documentsi. A police report ii. A paper cut of the advertisement published in any daily news paper intimating the loss of concerned original document iii. A challan of Rs 400/-for Registration Certificate and Rs. 100/-for each of the other documents

AMANUENSIS FOR visually challenged /differently able person�A differently able learner, including the visually challenged learners, may take the assistance of a helper in writing the answers on his/her behalf. The procedure to engage a helper is as follows: a. The differently abled learner must have a valid certificate issued by competent authority stating that the candidate is not in a position to write the answer himself/herself. b. Such a learner shall have to apply to the Controller of Examinations well in advance before the examination, for permission.

c. d. The helper (the person engaged for writing answers on behalf of the differently abled learner/visually challenged) must have lesser qualification. A certificate in this regard is required from a person like the Principal of the school/college or a Gazetted Officer. The photograph and handwriting of the helper is to be attested by the Principal/Centre In-charge of Study Centre or a Gazetted Officer.

e. The Centre In-charge of the examination will arrange for allowing the helper on receiving proper written permission from the Controller of Examinations. The Centre In charge will also certify on each day of examination that the helper is the same person allowed by the Controller of Examinations by verifying him/her with the photograph in the permission letter.

How to get the benefit from ODL system by the learners 1. Before coming to the Class please go through the SLMs 2. Attend the classes regularly and interact with counselors 3. Keep contact with the Study Centre regularly 4. Make a group of students for academic discussion 5. Visit the University website regularly for updates 6. Go through the SLMs at least once in everyday 7. Use e-SLMs and other formats available in the university website 8. Regularly update your knowledge from available sources 9. Please participate in the University programs, if possible

The University extends its heartiest best wishes to all the learners, Members of the Management Committee, Teachers and employees associated with the Study Centre. We welcome you all to extend your valuable suggestions to us for the academic interest of KKHSOU. Hope that your sincere participation would help in establishing the University as a People’s University.

Dear learners, WE express our gratitude to all of you for attending the Induction Programme. We offer our Best Wishes to all of you for your interest in Higher Education. On behalf of KKHSOU Dr Dibyajyoti Mahanta Dean(Study Centre)

THANK YOU