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Profile |
The
need for an Open University in Bangladesh was felt long ago. The history of
distance education in Bangladesh dates back to 1956, when the education Directorate
was assigned with the responsibility for distribution of 200 radio receivers
to educational institutions. This led to the creation of an Audio-Visual Cell
and later the Audio-Visual Education Centre (AVEC in 1962). No further progress
in distance education was made till 1971.
After Independence Bangladesh faced the challenge
of meeting the educational needs of mass people. To meet this challenge the
necessity for a new mode of education was widely felt. As a sequel to that feeling,
the School Broadcasting Pilot Project (SBP) was launched in 1978 and this was
initiated under the visionary leadership of the then President Ziaur Rahman. Later in 1983,
the project was transformed into National Institute of Educational Media and Technology
(NIEMT).
NIEMT was later replaced by the Bangladesh Institute of Distance Education (BIDE) in 1985. Apart from producing audio-visual materials, BIDE offered the Bachelor of Education (B Ed) program in distance mode. The success of BIDE encouraged policy makers to take up a major plan for establishing an open university. The plan became a reality in October 1992 when the Bangladesh Open University Act 1992 was passed in the Parliament. The then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was the founder Chancellor of the University.
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Objectives of the University |
Bangladesh Open University (BOU) is the
only public institution in the country that imparts education in distance mode. In
place of campus based teaching, this university uses technology including electronic
devices to reach people in different corners of the country. The learner in
this system is not restricted by time, space or age. A learner can think and
learn at his own will, at his own place and at any time whenever he/she feels free
to learn.
The main objective of the university is to expand
all levels of education in different dimensions in science, agriculture, humanities, social science etc. and all other that come under the purview of human knowledge
and understanding by diversity of means including the use of digital technology.
It intends to provide opportunities of education to all classes of people and
create efficient and skilled manpower by improving the quality of education.
As it is obvious from the objectives, BOU has opened
a new horizon for the vast majority of eager learners of Bangladesh who for
various reasons drop out of the conventional system of education. BOU
serves another target group who wishes to continue to update their knowledge
by becoming a life long learner. By imparting
knowledge and skill to them, BOU is contributing to human resource development
in the country.
In the national education arena this university therefore carries enormous responsibilities and possibilities. BOU is the only Institution in the country which can contribute a lot in fulfilling the objective of the Government regarding eradication of illiteracy from the country.
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BOU at a Glance |
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Main Campus: Board Bazar, Gagzipur |
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Area |
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35 acres |
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Established |
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October 1992 |
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No. of Schools |
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7 |
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No. of Divisions |
: |
11 |
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No. of Regional Resource Centre (RRC) |
: |
12 |
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No. of Coordinating office (CO) |
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80 |
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No. of Tutorial Centre |
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1000 |
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Formal Program |
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21 |
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Non Formal Program |
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19 |
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Student admitted in 2006 | : | 1,37,844 |
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Total students enrolment |
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4,32,767 |
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Copyright © Bangladesh Open University, 2004