Interface between ODL and conventional system in higher education: An Indian perspective

India envisioned itself to be a developed country by 2020 which necessitate creating a knowledge hub. It has already made elementary education a fundamental right by RTE Act 2009. It becomes imperative that it has to pace its secondary and higher education to near universalisation to realize its dream of knowledge driven society (RAMSA). The role of higher education in knowledge creation, preservation, dissemination and extension and advancement of the research and development for sustainable development and human capital formation can no longer be ignored. Unfortunately, the number of universities, colleges and institute of higher education has been pitiable in the face of its huge population despite the impressive growth since independence in 1947. The higher education systems in India today suffer from many shortcomings. The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of India is only 18.8% and it still remains below the world average of 29% (as of 2010). Providing access to the higher education to many deserving people could be done only through providing alternative channels of education for their empowerment. Open distance learning (ODL) offer to fill the void. Here the emphasis is more truly on the learner. The system de-emphasizes teaching, but emphasizes learning and give freedom to learner to set their own pace and thus recognize their autonomy for free communication of knowledge. ODL also offer to learn, unlearn and relearn, upgrade the knowledge and skill survival in the competitive modern world. With the development of technology the real class room learning experiences without compromising on quality could be provided, as a result, the boundaries between distance education an on-campus education are now becoming blurred. The future of distance education will be marked with growing inter relation between different modes of teaching-learning. For imparting education for all there will be both increasing competition and rising co-operation amongst various types of providers of education in the years to come.