PUNE, Jan 4: The University of Pune today ratified a proposal to enter into a collaboration with the Taleem Research Foundation, Ahmedabad to extend professional and vocational education through distance learning method by offering various diploma and certificate courses.In its meeting held today, the varsity's management council approved the proposal and set up a committee under the chairmanship of Pro-vice-chancellor to chalk a complete plan of joint education and research programmes.The Foundation specialises in pedagogic approach, production of course material, telecast, besides managing and organising the study centres.The management committee of the collaborative programme will function under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor which will evaluate and the utility and financial viability of the proposed courses.The university will execute the task of providing academic inputs, production of course material and evaluation of the courses.The fee structure for the programme will be decided by the Foundation and the varsity jointly. All certificates and diplomas will be self-supporting.What makes the collaboration more significant is the fact apart from using the tool of distance learning, it will also use television as a medium to run its courses. Zee Education television has been nominated as the electronic medium for the telecast of educational programmes, in the proposal.Among the important decisions taken today, the management council approved the proposal of instituting `Jeevan Sadhana Puraskar' to honour eminent personalities for their exemplary contribution to the society.``The award has been instituted to honour the personalities for their life-time achievement and dedicated service to the society,'' said Pro-vice-chancellor N J Sonawane while speaking to the reporters later.The award, comprising a trophy and a citation, will be given every year on February 10 - the foundation day of the varsity. ``This being the golden jubilee year, the consensus is that five personalities be awarded,'' said Sonawane adding that a committee comprising Sharadchandra Gokhale, Dr Shivajirao Kadam and Dr Vasantrao Pawar has been been formed to shortlist the names of awardees.The council also cleared the proposal of setting up a Centre for Science and Technology in the varsity. M G Shinde, acting registrar of the varsity informed the reporters that the University Grants Commission has conferred the `Advance Centre' status to the varsity's chemistry department. The department will now able to seek more UGC funds for its research programmes.Sonawane said that Chancellor and Governor Dr P C Alexander, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sharad Pawar, Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde and Higher and Technical Education Minister Datta Rane will be among the invited guests for the concluding function of varsity's golden jubilee year celebrations to be held on February 10.
