Chapter II THE UNIVERSITY

(1) There shall be a University by the name ‘Tamil Nadu Open University’. (2) The University shall be a body corporate, shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and shall sue and be sued by the said name. (3) The Headquarters of the University shall be located at Chennai and it may establish or maintain Colleges, Regional Centres and Study Centres at such other places in Tamil Nadu, other States of the Indian Union and outside the country as it may deem fit.

(1) The University shall endeavour through education, research, training and extension to play a positive role in the development of Tamil Nadu, and based on the rich heritage of the State, to promote and advance the culture of the people of India, especially Tamil Nadu and its human resources. Towards this end, it shall have the following objects namely. (a) to strengthen and diversify the degree, certificate and diploma courses related to the needs of employment and necessary for building the economy of the State on the basis of its natural and human resources; (b) to provide access to higher education for large segments of the population, and in particular, the disadvantaged groups such as those living in remote and rural areas including working people, housewives and other adults who wish to upgrade or acquire knowledge through studies in various fields; (c) to provide acquisition of knowledge in a rapidly developing and changing society and to continually offer opportunities for upgrading knowledge, training and skills in the context of innovations, research and discovery in all fields of human endeavours; (d) to provide an innovative system of University level education, flexible and open, in regard to methods and pace of learning, combination of courses, eligibility for enrolment, age of entry, medium of instruction, conduct of examination and operation of the programmes with a view to promote learning and encourage excellence in new fields of knowledge; (e) to contribute to the improvement of the educational system in the state by providing a non-formal channel complementary to the formal system and encouraging transfer of credits and exchange of teaching staff by making wide use of texts and other software developed by the University; (f) to provide education and training in the various arts, crafts and skills of the country, raising their quality and improving their availability to the people; (g) to provide or arrange training of teachers required for such activities or institutions; (h) to provide suitable post-graduate courses of study and promote research; (i) to provide counselling and guidance to its students; and (j) to promote national integration and the integrated development of the human personality through its policies and programmes; (k) to encourage the Open University and distance education system in the educational pattern of the State and to coordinate and determine the standards in such systems. (2) The University shall strive to fulfil the above objects by a diversity of means of distance and continuing education, and shall function in co-operation with the exiting Universities and Institutions of higher learning and make full use of the latest scientific knowledge and new educational technology to offer a high quality of education which matches contemporary needs. Towards this end, it shall have the following powers, namely; (i) to provide for instruction in such branches of knowledge, technology, vocations and professions as the University may determine from time to time and to make provision for research; (ii) to plan and prescribe courses of study for degrees, diplomas, certificates or for any other purpose; (iii) to hold examinations and confer degrees, diplomas, certificates or other academic distinctions or recognitions on persons who have pursued a course of study or conducted research as prescribed; (iv) to confer honorary degrees or other distinctions in the manner prescribed; (v) to determine the manner in which distance education in relation to the academic programmes of the University may be organized; (vi) to institute professorships, readerships, lecturerships and other academic positions necessary for imparting instruction or for preparing educational material or for conducting other academic activities, including guidance, designing and delivery of course and evaluation of the work done by the students, and to appoint persons to such professorships, readerships, lecturerships and other academic position; (vii) to co-operate with, and seek the co-operation of, other Universities and institutions of higher learning, professional bodies and organisations, for such purposes as the University considers necessary; (viii) to institute and award fellowships, scholarships, prizes and such other awards for recognition of merit as the University may deem fit; (ix) to establish and maintain such Regional Centres as may be determined by the University from time to time; (x) to establish, maintain or recognise Study Centres in the manner prescribed; (xi) to provide for the preparation of instructional materials, including films, cassettes, types, video cassettes and other software; (xii) to organise and conduct refresher courses, workshops, seminars and other programmes for teachers, lesson writers, evaluators and other academic staff; (xiii) to recognise examinations of, or periods of study (whether in full or part) at, other Universities, Institutions or other places of higher learning as equivalent to examinations or periods of study in the University, and to withdraw such recognition at any time; (xiv) to make provision for research and development in educational technology and related matters; (xv) to create administrative, ministerial and other necessary posts and to make appointments thereto; (xvi) to receive benefactions, donations and gifts and to acquire, hold, maintain and dispose of any property movable or immovable, including trust and Government property, for the purposes of the University. (xvii) to borrow, with the approval of the Government whether on the security of the property of the University or otherwise, money for the purposes of the University. (xviii) to enter into, carry out, vary or cancel contracts; (xix) to demand and receive such fees and other charges as may be laid down by the ordinances; (xx) to provide, control and maintain discipline among the students and all categories of employees and to lay down the conditions of service of such

(1) The University shall, subject to the provisions of this Act and the statues, be open to all persons; Provided that special efforts shall be taken to encourage the oppressed classes and disadvantaged groups. (2) Nothing contained in sub-section (1) shall require the University- (a) to admit to any course of study any person who does not possess the prescribed academic qualification or standard; (b) to retain on the rolls of the University any student whose academic record is below the minimum standard required for the award of a degree, diploma or other academic distinction; or (c) to admit any person or retain any student whose conduct is prejudicial to the interests of the University or the rights and privileges of other students and teachers.

(1) The Government shall have the right to cause an inspection or inquiry, to be made, by such person or persons, as they may direct, of the University, its buildings, laboratories, libraries, museums, workshops and equipments and also of the examinations, teaching and other work conducted or done by the University, and to cause an inquiry to be made in respect of any matter connected with the University. The Government shall, in every case given notice to the University of their intention to cause such inspection or inquiry to be made and the University shall be entitled to be represented thereat. (2) The Government shall communicate to the Syndicate their views with reference to the results of such inspection or inquiry and may, after ascertaining the opinion of the Syndicate thereon, advise the University upon the action to be taken and fix a time limit for taking such action. (3) The Syndicate shall report to the Government the action, if any, which is proposed to be taken or has been taken, upon the result of such inspection or inquiry. Such report shall be submitted within such time as the Government may direct. (4) Where the Syndicate does not take action to the satisfaction of the Government within a reasonable time, the Government may after considering any explanation furnished or representation made by the Syndicate, issue such directions as they may think fit and the Syndicate shall comply with such directions. In the event of the Syndicate not complying with such directions within such time as may be fixed in that behalf by the Government, the Government shall have power to appoint any person or body to comply with such directions and make such orders as may be necessary for the expenses thereof.