Sikkim Manipal University – Directorate of Distance Education Awarded ‘Digital Learning ICT Enabled University of the Year’

Bangalore, August 28, 2009: Sikkim Manipal University - Directorate of Distance Education (SMU-DDE) was conferred the 'Digital Learning ICT Enabled University of the Year' for its new technology infused learning system “EduNxt” at the 5th eINDIA 2009 Conference and exhibition organised by Centre for Science, Development and Media Studies in Hyderabad on August 26, 2009.

Mr. Anand Sudarshan, MD & CEO, Manipal Education, said, “We are honoured to have received this commendation from eIndia 2009. This recognization re-affirms our commitment in using technology to drive the next level in education and making high quality education affordable and accessible through the length and breadth of our country.”

EduNxt is a new technology – infused learning system that has transformed distributed learning across India. EduNxt functions on the principle of 3As + 4Cs. The 3 As of Affordability, Accessibility and Appropriateness are the guideline to scaling up EduNxt across distributed learning. Meanwhile, the 4Cs of Content, Collaboration, Communication and Computing are the basis of developing EduNxt into a means of disseminating educating across the length and breadth of our country.

EduNxt has been launched, for the first time in Distance Education, for Sikkim Manipal University’s Distance Education students. The primary objective is to provide SMU-DDE students with a plethora of resources so they learn through sharing and collaboration. Another important objective behind the development of EduNxt is to open a channel of communication between the 2.55 lac students on the rolls of SMU-DDE and the University faculty and approx. 6500 counselors across the University’s authorized study centres in order to utilise their varied expertise and vast experience. Over 55,000 students log on EduNxt today.

The EduNxt platform is an easy to use delivery system. It enables a collaborative and interactive environment for learning and includes small group mentoring, virtual classrooms, simulation, self-study content, recorded presentations and shared browsing.

About SMU-DE

Sikkim Manipal University is a unique public-private initiative between the Govt. of Sikkim and Manipal Education. SMU, a state University, is recognized by the UGC, Ministry of HRD and is a member of the Associations of Indian Universities. The Distance Education Council has granted recognition to all Distance Education programs offered under the aegis of SMU (Sikkim Manipal University). The SMU Directorate of Distance Education is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

About Manipal Education

Manipal Education is a pioneering and leading academic & education services provider in India. With over 50 years of steadfast focus in the field of Education, the group provides education services across all genres. The group’s presence includes 3 universities - Manipal University, Sikkim Manipal University, and American University of Antigua - and over 30 institutions in India, besides colleges & campuses in Antigua, Dubai, Malaysia & Nepal.

In addition to formal university programmes delivered through 5 campuses in India & 4 overseas, Manipal Education also has a range of education offerings in Distance Education, Professional & Skills Education across multiple genres, as well as industry leading partnerships such as the ICICI Manipal Academy for Banking (in association with ICICI Bank).

Manipal Education has strategic investments in emerging companies, including U21Global - the world's premier online graduate school based out of Singapore, and MeritTrac - India’s Largest Skills Assessment & Testing Company.

About eIndia 2009

eIndia 2009 is a unique platform for knowledge sharing in different domains of ICT for development and facilitates multi-stakeholder partnerships and networking among governments, industry, academia and civil society organisations of different countries, including the host country- India.

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This release was published on openPR.