GetMyUni's Verdict on Bhoj University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"With its high flexibility and affordability, Bhoj University is popularly known within the online distance learning community. Yet, the lack of a traditional classroom and practical learning experience limits studnets from having a wholesome campus experience."

Established in the early 1990s, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University, popularly known as Bhoj University, is considered to be among the best universities in the state for offering various programs in distance education. The university is ideal for those who wish to pursue their higher studies but are unable to attend traditional universities due to multiple reasons, such as work commitments, financial constraints and other factors. 

The university is predominantly known for its higher education programs, especially in the field of Commerce and Management, where students have the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience from the comfort of their homes. Although there are no regular classes, there is a well-experienced set of faculty members for each discipline who are ever ready to assist students with their doubt clarification and academic-related queries.

Even though there are limited opportunities for students to participate in cultural and extracurricular activities, the university frequently conducts online workshops, seminars and guest lectures through which students can gain valuable insights related to their courses. Along with that, there are multiple learning centres located in different parts of the state where students can attend contact classes to get a traditional classroom experience.

Table of Contents

• Wide Range of Programs & Flexible Learning
• Accessible Professors
• Impressive Digital Infrastructure
• Lack of Campus Life
• Decent Placements
• Overall Impression of Bhoj University

Wide Range of Programs & Flexible Learning

As the university is primarily focused on distance learning, students have a flexible environment where they can learn and prepare for the exams at their own pace. The necessary course materials are available to students in both print and digital formats. Students can also access the study materials online through the university's official website, and the classes are available in CD format.

The university offers a wide array of programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels across various disciplines, such as follows.

• Commerce and Management
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Health Sciences
• Basic Sciences
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Education.

The course curriculum is well-designed with the relevant information and concepts. As mentioned earlier, the university is popularly known for its postgraduate programs. However, the university also offers a number of undergraduate programs in the fields mentioned above. Some of the top courses offered by the university are as follows.

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• B.Sc Information Technology
• Bachelor of Special Education (B.Ed SEDE)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• M.Sc in Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics/ Zoology/ Botany
• MA in History/ Political Science/ Sociology/ Geography/ Hindi/ Economics
• MA in Ancient Indian History and Archeology

Apart from the regular undergraduate and postgraduate programs, the university also offers diploma and need-based certificate courses in different fields. These programs are chosen mainly by students who intend to gain additional knowledge in their field of specialisation. While the diploma courses are for three years, the need-based programs are for a duration of 6 months to 1 year.

Unfortunately, there are limited research opportunities for students as doctoral programs are not available for distance learning. Though there are few to no regular classes, the university conducts contact classes through which students can interact with their professors and clarify their doubts quickly. The course curriculum for all programs includes assignments, online quizzes and end-semester exams that will be conducted at the designated learning centres.

Nominal Course Fees

One of the primary reasons why students prefer online distance learning is its affordability. The annual fees for the programs offered by the university are incredibly affordable compared to traditional universities. Though there are variations in the course fees depending on the course level, specialisation, and course duration, they are still relatively more reasonable than those of private universities.

The annual fees for prominent courses, such as BBA, MBA, B.Sc, M.Sc, MSW and MA programs, is INR 9000. There are exceptions in the yearly fees for some specialisations, like B.Sc Mathematics/ Botany, B.Com, MA Geography and BA programs, which are INR 2965, INR 2730, INR 8640 and INR 2500, respectively. The course fees for diploma programs range between INR 3000, INR 5880, and INR 9000.

As there are no additional expenses, such as library fees, hostel fees, etc., students find the education provided by the university cost-effective.

Attendance Policy

Though there are no traditional classroom-based lectures, students are required to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% each semester by appearing for the contact classes. Those students who have attendance less than 60% will be refrained from appearing for the end-semester examinations.

Accessible Professors

The faculty members at the university are well-experienced and easily approachable. They ensure students have access to the necessary resources and study materials to complete their courses with sufficient knowledge to excel in their careers. Students can connect with their respective professors through the online portal. The professors conduct classes to give more insight to their students and explain complex concepts in detail. 

As it is an online education, the professors emphasise academics more, which limits the possibilities of additional activities. Nonetheless, they make extra effort to make the online and contact classes enjoyable with interactive activities, such as group discussions, seminars, guest lectures, etc. 

Students are generally impressed by the quality of professors and their approachability, as they are always ready to help and assist students perform well in their exams. They are also known to be friendly and flexible with assignment submissions. Overall, students are satisfied with their experience with the faculty members at the university.

Impressive Digital Infrastructure

Although the university's infrastructure is not a priority of online education, it has a well-developed digital infrastructure with several facilities catering to the academic needs of its students. Apart from its main campus located in Bhopal, the university has multiple regional centres situated in numerous parts of the state. Contact classes are held at these regional centres at various locations. Students also have access to study materials, library facilities and laboratories available at these study centres.

The classrooms at the study centres are spacious and well-equipped with audio-visual aids, such as projectors, whiteboards, and comfortable seating arrangements. Some centres also include decent laboratories for the courses that require practical learning.

The university has a central library on its main campus, which houses a vast collection of books, theses, journals, and other resources, along with an extensive online collection of electronic resources. Students can access the online library through the university's official website.

In terms of its digital infrastructure, the university has around 40 satellite-interactive terminals placed at its study centres through which students can interact with their professors and attend online lectures. The online portal allows students to access study materials and submit their assignments. The university also has an established FM radio station through which conferences and collaborative programs are broadcast.

As the course program is entirely online, on-campus academic and recreational facilities, such as classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, canteen, hostels, etc., have no significance. However, students who wish to visit the main campus can access the various facilities provided.

Lack of Campus Life

One of the few drawbacks to online distance learning is the lack of opportunities to be involved in extracurricular activities and interact with other students. However, students can engage with their classmates through online platforms and during contact classes. As the primary focus is on academics, the university conducts online seminars, conferences and guest lectures, which allow students to have an enriching academic experience.

While there are no clubs like in regular colleges, students often form informal groups with their fellow students online, and they connect with each other through social media. The lack of a traditional campus experience may limit students' ability to connect with like-minded individuals or be involved in various activities related to their interests. Nonetheless, students are advised to actively participate in the contact classes and online sessions and form online groups to get a taste of campus life.

Moreover, a significant advantage of distance learning is that students from diverse backgrounds have access to good quality education, regardless of their region, culture, gender, and socioeconomic background. However, the majority of the student body joining the online distance learning programs are residents of the state. 

Dress Code

Needless to say, there is no defined uniform or strict rules and regulations regarding the dress code of the students. However, students are expected to wear appropriate clothing while attending contact classes at the designated study centres. Also, students must wear formal attire for examinations and official events.

Decent Placements

Even though there are limitations to online distance learning, the university has an impressive track record of providing students with successful placement opportunities at reputed companies. The dedicated placement cell at the university is responsible for offering students training and inviting top companies for the placement drives. Based on the latest reports, the university has an overall placement rate between 60 and 70%, which is a respectable rate considering the limitations of online learning and competition within the job arena.

According to the recent year's record, the highest salary package offered to university graduates was INR 30 LPA. The average salary package offered was between INR 10 LPA and INR 20 LPA.

Overall Impression of Bhoj University

The best part of pursuing higher education at Bhoj University is its flexibility, affordability and, most importantly, the lack of age barriers, as students from all age groups, regardless of their academic or professional background, can continue their education from the comfort of their homes. It makes education more accessible to students who are unable to attend traditional universities due to various reasons. 

Even though the education system is entirely online, various courses are offered by the university across different disciplines, giving aspiring students multiple options to choose from. It also assures students have the necessary resources and assistance to complete their education successfully. The university is recognised by the University Grant Commission (UGC), which ensures the quality and credibility of its programs.

However, there are a few drawbacks to distance education, such as limited access to peers, lack of extracurricular activities and cultural events, and other factors that are generally present in the traditional university setting. In any case, Bhoj Univesity is a good option for those who are planning to pursue higher education via distance learning.

Some of the pros and cons of Bhoj University are listed below for better understanding.

*Source: M.P. Bhoj Open University Facebook