Introduction

The University of Kashmir established institution of correspondance course in Febuary 1976.The Institute for correspondance upto 1985 and it was upgraded and renamed as the Department of Distance Education with the following objectives in view:-

-To provide educational opportunities of education to those who could be accomodated in the institution of Higher learning.

-To ensure equal opportunities of education for people in employment, women, including house wives and adults and who wish to upgrade their education and skills;

-To provide instruction in wide range of general and special subjects;

-To offer degrees and non-degrees certificates courses for working population in various fields.

These objectives make it clear that Distance Education is expected to play a keyrole in democratization of higher education in State of Jammu and Kashmir by providing educational opportunities to hitherto, neglected sections of society, Adhering strictly to its frame of basic objectives, the Distance Education has rapidly developed into a successful non-formal counter part of already existing system of formal education.

The lnstitute of Correspondence courses continued to work as the institute up to 1985. In pursuance of the guidelines of the UGC, and document regarding the National Policy of Education which was circulated throughout the country to prepare a ground for evolving new educational policy, 1986, the University of Kashmir under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Manzoor Alam, the then vicechancellor upgraded the institute of correspondence courses to Department of distance Education. Prof. Riyaz Punjabi was appointed the chairman of the newly created Department of Distance Education. This decision was in tune with the new educational policy. The Department of Distance Education enjoyed the status of a Department of the University and enjoyed all such powers, facilities and privileges which are available in any other Department of the University. This change enabled the Department to design, its own programmes and implement these without suffering rigorous procedures of formal system. With this change, new courses at PG and graduate level were introduced e.g., Postgraduate programmes in urdu, Economics commerce, Mathematics teachers training programme leading to B.Ed, degree, Law course and undergraduate courses etc.ln 2002, the University council converted the Department of Distance Education to Centre of Distance Education, so that each academic wing of the Centre, can play vital role in development of education in the State of Jammu& Kashmir. The creation of the Centre is aimed to develop Distance Education as an alternative system or parallel system of education within the University system, so that greater accessibilitiy is provided to wider sections of society aspiring for higher education. The creation of the Centre is based on four basic parameters of access, equity, excellence and relevance. Keeping in view the popularity of Distance Education and overall contribution of the Centre of Distance Education the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. Riyaz Punjabi authorized the change of nomenclature as Directorate of Distance Education.