Post graduate and research programmes in agriculture: YCMOU experience Dr. Madhurisonawane*, Dr. Atkare Prakash** *Assistant Professor & Ex. PGR Programme Coordinator, School of Agricultural Sciences, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik, Maharashtra state **Professor & Registrar, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik, Maharashtra state Online published on 11 April, 2014. Abstract YCMOU, Nashik is a pioneer in offering agricultural programmes through distance mode. The School of Agricultural Sciences started post graduate and research programmes in 2003. Enrolment of female students was very less ranging from 6% to 9%. Major response was observed for Agricultural Extension discipline followed by Agricultural Extension discipline. In case of post graduate programme 36.66% students appeared for Coursework Examination out of which only 19.66% could complete the course work successfully and further only 6.66% students could receive the degree. For research programme 59.06% students appeared for course work examination out of which 54.35% could complete the course work successfully and finally 22.82% students were able to receive the degree award. An important point to be considered in case of ODL system should be the minimum period required for completion of programme. No student could complete the post graduate and research programme in stipulated minimum period. 30% post graduate students as well as 49% research students required more than 5 years for completion of degree. Though many learners were willing to complete their higher education, unfortunately, very few could reach to the award of degree. Also, the period required for completion of the programme was much higher. Apart from the learners’ personal constraints, condition of two research articles publication, difficulty level of course material, well qualified sufficient faculty, research orientation and research inputs to students, lack of motivation or lack of basic educational potential among the enrolled students and many more reasons needs to be focussed in future. Top Keywords Agricultural, Distance Mode, Open University, Post Graduate, Research Programme. Top |