Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University - BRAOU

About Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University - BRAOU

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), formerly known as Andhra Pradesh Open University was established on 26th August 1982 through an Act of Andhra Pradesh State Legislature (APOU Act, 1982), Subsequently, the University was renamed as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University on 7th December 1991 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (APOU Act, 1992). The Governor of Andhra Pradesh is the chancellor of the university. With a wide network of 206 study centres (http://www.braou.ac.in/studycentres.htm) spread throughout the state of Andhra Pradesh, the University has for its motto "Education at Your Doorstep". Dr. BRAOU follows a multi-media teaching-learning approach which broadly comprises self-learning print material, supported by audio, video lessons and regular broadcast of lessons through All India Radio. From November, 1999 the University started Telecast of Video lessons through Doordarshan Regional Channel. On Sundays the University has Interactive Teleconferencing on the Regional Channel of Doordarshan. The University houses impressive buildings, green lawns and tree-lined roads. In addition to the Administrative, Student Support Services, Academic and AVPRC buildings, the campus has an extensive Plaza, a Conference Hall, an Auditorium and GRADE cum Guest house. The KU-Band earth station is also located in the University campus. The present campus has scope for application of new technologies in distance education and for inter-linking of its local areas through Local Area Network (LAN) and Campus and Study Centres through Wide Area Network (WAN). The State Bank of Hyderabad has a branch of the campus.

Location - It is located on a panoramic elevated site of 53.63 acres in Jubilee Hills. Click here for Google Map Location

Transportation

City Bus Services:

• From Secunderabad - 47E, 49E.

• From Koti - 127A.

• From Nampally - 19A.

• From Dilsuknagar - 127A.

• From K.P.H.B - 19A.

• From Uppal - 10U/47U, 113E/AU.

• From Patancheru - 223Y.

• From ECIL - 37/49E.

• From Ramnagar - 190/AU.

Faculty

1. Arts.
2. Commerce.
3. Science.
4. Social Sciences.
5. Education.

Facilities

Central Library - At present the Central Library and Study Centre Libraries have a collection of 1,29,182 books and non-book material in different languages. It subscribes to 19 newspapers( English news papers 7, Telugu 8, Hindi 1 and Urdu 3). It provides 207 journals (175 Indian and 32 foreign) for the Central Library and Seven Journals for P.G Study Centers covering a variety of subjects . All the housekeeping operations of the library are computerized.The library database consists of all the books, non-book materials, back volumes of periodicals and current journals. Local Area Network with optic fibre backbone is connected with all the Academic departments of the University with the central library to facilitate easy access to search the library database. Card catalogue is replaced with four online Public Access Catalogue terminals (OPAC), in the library for accessing and searching the library database. LIBSYS software package with Linux platform is used for providing various automated services.The CD server with 17 drives is on the backbone fibre optic on the campus network to access CD-ROM databases.

Computer Centre - The Computer Centre has facilities for storing, retrieving and updating all the data pertaining to the students. This helps in streamlining dispatch of material, publication of results for awarding degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Study Centres - At present, it has a network of 200 Study Centres which includes 20 Postgraduate Study Centres throughout the State of Andhra Pradesh. The Study Centres are located in conventional colleges and working on weekends and holidays. The Study Centre offers Academic Guidance, Counselling and also admissions to various Programs by following admission procedures. The Study Centres are located in Urban, Rural and Tribal areas. They serve as a 'link' between the Student and the University. The Study Centres are equipped with Library, Laboratory, Audio & Video and Recording facilities.

Instruction Strategy - The University adopts a multimedia approach for instruction, i.e. printed Programs material, radio lessons, audio and video lessons, contact -cum-counselling classes, winter and summer schools for intensive coaching by experts. The Programs materials, including radio and video lessons in each subject, are  selected and prepared by a team of Programs writers, editors and translators in collaboration with specialists in various disciplines from different Universities, Research Institutions and other relevant organizations. The printed materials are sent to the student through postal or courier services. The cassettes are made available through the study centres. The University keeps in touch with its students spread over the entire State through regular mail. Between fifteen to twenty letters are dispatched to each student in a year. The university has so far published more than 250 volumes of Programs materials, covering as many as 30 different disciplines.

Audio Visual Production & Research Centre - The studios of the Centre are equipped with a Master Control room and Video editing set up with Beta cam equipment to produce curriculum based Audio-Video lessons.

Facilities:

• The University has been broadcasting syllabus-oriented educational lessons over all India Radio, Hyderabad. 'B' with short wave support for state wide coverage.

• The University has recently launched telecast of educational video lessons through Doordarshan Channel-8. The video lessons are telecast for five days in a week i.e., from Monday through Friday.

• The Centre has also taken up the initiative to organize interactive teleconferencing through Doordarshan Channel 8 on every Sunday between 2 to 3 PM. The program provides a live experience for the students to interact with the experts sitting in the studios by using a telephone. The interactive program is held by providing necessary technical facilities to receive the program at all the 23 district study centres. The study centres have been equipped with a cable connection, a TV monitor, STD phone to enable the students and counsellors to interact with the experts during the program. The students from their houses and work places can also watch the program if they have a cable connection.

Development Cell - The Development Cell of the University deals with different funding agencies like Distance Education Council, Indira Gandhi National Open University, University Grants Commission, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Commonwealth of Learning and the State Government. The Distance Education Council Grants received from DEC/IGNOU under various heads will be released to the teachers towards Travel Grants for International Seminars/Conferences and Symposia according to DEC guidelines. Development Cell also sanctions financial support to the teachers to attend National Conferences in India. It undertakes correspondence with the above agencies and maintains development plan, research projects and fellowships. It also monitors scholarships and fellow-ships sanctioned by D.S.T. Ministry of H.R.D, New Delhi.

GRADE – G.Ram Reddy Research Academy of Distance Education was inaugurated on 19.01.2001 to cater to the needs of distance teaching institutions, distance educators, researchers, policy makers, organizations and institutions with research interests for promoting distance education. One of the important functions of the Academy includes organizing periodic interactive workshops on Research Methodology in Distance Education and preparing Manuals on Research Methodology. Creating an exhaustive database on distance education in the regions/countries and providing access to this data to researchers would be yet another very important function of the Academy. The Academy will play a crucial role in inviting scholars with rich experience and eminent experts in distance education/ open learning to carry out studies in curriculum designing and quality teaching.

Asian Association of Open Universities Staff Exchange Fellowship Program - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University is offering Two short-term visiting fellowships to Distance Education professionals working in Asian Open Universities for carrying out a research project connected with the promotion and development of Open Distance Education. For more info - Phone: 91-40-23541378/23548883, www.braou.ac.in/gradeinfo.htm

CSTD - Centre for Staff Training and Development  provide in-service training to all its full-time and part-time employees. The Objectives of the Centre are to assess the training needs of different categories of distance educators and to arrange training programs for skill development and application of new technologies.

SC / ST Cell - The University established a Special Cell for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.

The objectives of the Cell are:

1. Monitoring, evaluation and planning for ensuring effective implementation of the policies and programmes of the Government concerning, SC/ST candidates.
2. Suggesting follow-up measures for achieving the objectives and targets laid down by the Government of India, the UGC and the State Government.

Women's Development & Extension Cell - It was earlier known as Women’s Studies Cell.

The objectives of the Centre are:

1. To take cognizance of the problems, aspirations and special needs of women learners who constitute 30 per cent of the total enrolment and also women employees.
2. To organize developmental and extension activities on health, nutrition, environment, family welfare, women on Panchayat Raj and income generating programmes in terms of workshops, publication of manuals, dissemination of information etc.
3. To improve the quality of life and making women competent and capable of participating in sustainable development.