The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) located in Mysore is a premier name in the field of distance education in India. The university was established by the Government of Karnataka to provide distance learning education to the people who cannot attend full time or part time educational courses offered by universities. The University has been recognised by the University of Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi. KSOU is a regular member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Delhi.
Educational Streams
KSOU offers distance education through wide-ranging programmes leading to degrees from the graduate level to the doctoral level along with a variety of diploma and certificate programmes. Several multi-level, inter-linked programmes on information technology in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, are in the pipeline. Karnataka State Open University imparts education to the students on the basis of conventional and non-conventional methods of teaching and learning. The Study Centres established by the University provide face to face interaction between the students and KSOU on all aspects of the academic Programme. Weekend counseling, library facilities and other information is provided by the study centres. Information regarding submission of assignments, examination forms, issue of admission tickets, examination time-table, declaration of results etc. is provided by respective co-coordinators of the study centres.
Facilities
Karnataka State Open University has basic infrastructural facilities like lecture halls, guest house cottages, and canteen. A girls hostel is provided by the university. Cottage facility has been provided to outstation boys. KSOU also houses a library, having a rich collection of books, for the students. Students can also browse internet in the library.
History
Established on 1st June, 1996s, Karnataka State Open University was founded by the Karnataka State Open University Act of 1992. Since then the University has been promoting the system of Open University and distance learning in the state of Karnataka.
Faculties/Departments:
- Languages
- History
- Economics
- Education & Teaching
- Political Science
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Mass Communication and Journalism
- Commerce
- Business Administration
- Library Science
Institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI), in collaboration with KSOU, Mysore, has issued the notification for admission into Dual Certification Programme, to be offered in the ensuing session 2012. 
