A Student Centric approach to distance learning Every student endeavors to accomplish his/her academic pursuit, with the aim

of becoming employable and knowledgeable. As the first stepping stone towards every students dream, higher education remains in focus, to establish affordability, accessibility and flexibility. With these parameters in its framework, Distance education has evolved to deliver skills and employability, to students from various backgrounds. With the onus on delivering higher economic power, through job-related skills, and adequate industrial exposure, distance learning programs are oriented towards a strategic, student-centric approach for a rich learning experience leading to better performance. The characteristics of a student-centric approach in distance learning would be: 1) Effective and applicable learning methodologies through maximum technological leverage: As the online medium spells ease-of-use and remote access, many distance education universities have deployed learning management systems/elearning softwares, which can be accessed through the universitys online interface 2) Innovative pedagogical structure: The method of training and learning is revolutionized, as competition in the job-industry, demand skills which are on a continuous growth curve. The teaching approach along with the course content should be aligned with the industry-trends, giving greater practical exposure to the concepts and principles of the subject(s) taught. 3) Interface with the industry: As the industry is in a constant state of evolution, spurning demands and opportunities to operate on the global platform, experts from the field, academic exponents give better insights about the present trends and the future prospects. Industry-speak by experts or guest lectures would definitely define an industry-oriented approach by distance education universities. 4) All-round learning: Academic skills alone are not sufficient to thrive in todays competitive world. As each job-seeker is expected to contribute in building a brand out of a business, through knowledge, application and enterprise, the ideal candidature represents a summation of qualities- academics, soft-skills, which determine ones overall personality. A students all-round development will identify better prospects in the job market. All these student-centric initiatives help students to develop confidence and overall personality, and the right skill-set, for higher employability. Incorporating these initiatives into Distance learning, will make this mode of education, not only the best choice for higher studies but also the workable option for continuous learning. The open and online education system is a vital vehicle in the maintained development of knowledge humanity. Its potential for flexible learning consignment, scope for self and life-long learning and cost effectiveness make it instrumental in gathering the needs of individual and groups at this juncture - in the fast transition

being made from the industrial to the information age. Although, as India prepares to face the information challenges of the 21stcentury, higher learning presents a rather dismal picture. According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, India, only about 10% of the population in the relevant agegroup is registered in higher education, and a mere 5% graduate with degrees. With the rapid development of the service, knowledge and affiliated sectors in the finances, it is imperative that the populace is equipped to contribute to an advantage from these expansion. This needs a fundamental overhaul of the higher education system, with consider to access, enrolment and most significantly, quality. Malfunction to address this need and foster more inclusive growth will adversely sway Indias future financial prospects and the welfare of its people. We accept as true that this crisis in higher education donates us the essential impetus for radical change. Existing brick and mortar campuses alone will not contend with the current and future demand for higher learning, granted the limited resources for their building and administration. Even so, it is imperative that the state provides and commits to universal get access to to higher learning. Open and expanse learning (ODE), endowed and delivered through data and communication expertise (ICT), retains the pledge to address inquiries of get get access to to and supply new, alternate types of capacity building. ICT endowed linkages - propelled by broadband and satellite networks are of a new, unprecedented kind, with exceptional significances in a globalised world. They give increase to the A-3 scenario, where any person, Anytime, Anywhere can be connected to other ones through systems and access apparatus in a virtual space.