Guwahati: Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU) has received approval from the University Grants Commission’s Distance Education Bureau (UGC-DEB) to offer new science programmes through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode from the July 2026 academic session.
The approvals allow the university to introduce M.Sc. programmes in Physics and Chemistry, a B.Sc. programme in Mathematics, and a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programme.
With the latest approvals, KKHSOU said it has become a multidisciplinary institution in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Arts, Science and Commerce streams. The university had earlier received UGC recognition for M.Sc. in Mathematics, M.Sc. in Information Technology, MBA and M.A. in Yoga programmes.
Addressing a press conference at the university’s City Campus at Khanapara in Guwahati, Vice-Chancellor Rajendra Prasad Das said the approval had been long awaited, as many aspiring learners, particularly in-service graduate science teachers across Assam, had been seeking opportunities to pursue postgraduate education through the ODL mode.
Das said the university currently contributes nearly 11 percent of Assam’s total higher education enrolment, with around one lakh learners enrolled in 18 postgraduate, 12 undergraduate, 15 diploma and 28 certificate programmes.
He said the addition of the four new programmes has increased the total number of academic programmes offered by the university to 77.
Highlighting the university’s focus on skill development under NEP 2020, Das said its diploma and certificate courses have been designed to improve employability among learners.
He also said KKHSOU has recently been recognised by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as the first university in Northeast India to be recognised as an Awarding and Assessment Body for NCVET-approved skill courses.
According to Das, the university has already received approval to offer a skill-based course in Solar Panel Installation, while approval for a course on Geriatric Care is awaited.
Registrar Pranab Saikia said the university is developing a Science Laboratory and Skill Hub at its Rani campus. He said the proposal has already been approved by the university’s Planning and Development Committee and the Board of Management.
The press conference was also attended by Ranjan Dutta Kalita, Dean (Academic), Ridip Dev Choudhury, Dean (Study Centre), and other senior faculty members and university officials.