Jamshedpur, Aug. 4: Aptech University, one of the few self-supported universities in the country, has introduced a novel feature in its under-graduate distance learning courses for the benefit of students.

Unlike the usual procedure adopted in distance education, where students mostly depend on notes supplied by the institution with which they are registered, Aptech University will conduct short classes on weekdays at its local centres.

Vice-chancellor of Aptech University Wing Commander (retd) Pratap Pradhan spoke to The Telegraph today on the university’s new method.

Pradhan was here to launch the University’s distance education programme for Jharkhand.

After serving in the Indian Air Force for over 25 years, where he was associated with information technology and management training, Pradhan joined Aptech Limited in 1998. After the formation of the university last year, Pradhan took over as vice-chancellor. Although the university was granted permission for launch last year the academic session starts from September 15 this year.

The university will only offer professional programmes with certificate or doctoral degrees. Degrees for post-graduate level and above will be only full time and will be offered only at the university campus at Raipur in Chhattisgarh.

The university will start 150 distance education academics centres (DEACs) all over the country. Of these, five will be in Jharkhand — three at Ranchi and two at Jamshedpur. The distance learning courses will be conducted on trimester basis and students will be required to attend two-hour classes at the DEACs on weekdays.

Students will also have to under go a compulsory 60-days internship in various companies during the three-year course. “The university has entered into an agreement with over 700 companies and institutions in diverse fields all over the country to facilitate internship,” Pradhan said.

“The university aims at making a candidate fit for direct absorption into service by an organisation immediately after completion of the course. I can guarantee that not a single student passing out from the university will require training in any company,” Pradhan said.

Talking about expansion plans of the university, he said that before the next academic session 10 more colleges will be set up across the county. “One of the colleges will be either in Jharkhand or Bihar, depending on the viability of the place. Jamshedpur is a probable location,” he added.