SMU-DE Ranked #1 in the student perception survey conducted by Careers360 magazine which rated the Top Distance Education providers of the Country

Gangtok, Sikkim -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/26/2011 -- Sikkim Manipal University – Distance Education (SMU-DE) , a unique public-private initiative between the Government of Sikkim and Manipal Education, Ranked #1 in the student perception survey conducted by Careers360, a magazine for young professionals in collaboration with Yahoo.

With over 710+ SMU-DE Learning Centers covering 310 cities across India, Sikkim Manipal University -Distance Education (http://www.smude.edu.in) emerged as the top distance education provider across parameters ranging from quality of study material, library support, quality of faculty, access to study centers, conduct of exams and publishing of results among others. SMU-DE was also found to have one of the largest presences on the web with over 500+ unique IP addresses, showing the substantial reach technology could achieve.

SMU-DE spokesperson Mr. V Sivaramakrishnan, President - Distributed Learning, Manipal Education says "We are thrilled to be ranked among India's premier Distance Education providers in the country. In line with the vision of providing affordable & accessible education to aspirants across the country, our endeavor is to collaborate technology with high quality education, providing a learning experience that's incomparable."

In one of the most extensive exercises undertaken in the field of distance learning, the survey elicited over 7000 responses from current and past distance education students. For the analysis, over 5000 entries, which ranked over 81 Universities, were taken into consideration. After eliminating those with less than 50 responses and unique IP addresses, the research team finally zeroed in on 30 top distance education providers which were subjected to detailed analysis.

In the objective ranking, Sikkim Manipal University - Distance Education was ranked 4th on various parameters including reach, course offerings, processes, pass ratio and transparency. Interestingly, only 11 out of the 32 top distance education providers in the objective ranking list made it to the perception ranking which hailed SMU-DE as a top provider of distance learning education in India.

The Universe for Open and Distance Learning Institutes (ODLIs) in India comprises 249 institutes, out of which 188 institutes are currently offering Distance Education Programmes.

About SMU & 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 Sikkim Manipal University - Directorate of Distance Education is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Over the years, SMU-DE has consistently raised standards in Distance Education and earned its place of pride. Some of the recognitions & awards received include:
• Ranked 1st for Results and Efficiency and Ranked 2nd for Learning and Experience by CAREERS360 magazine for the year 2010. The CAREERS360 survey is the first of its kind survey in distance learning space and ranks SMU-DE in the top 3 best distance learning institutions in India.
• Dewang Mehta Business School Awards- Best Distance Learning programme
• DNA-Best B-School for the use of Technology in providing Management Education in
• Distance Education
• Star News- Best Management Education in Distance Education
• Winner of e-India and e-Rajasthan Awards for Digital Learning ICT enabled University of the Year"

For more details, please refer to http://www.smude.edu.in

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Sikkim Manipal University Directorate Of Distance Education Announces Admissions Open

Gangtok, Sikkim -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/22/2011 -- SMU-DE, one of the largest providers of Distance Education in India, has announced the opening of admissions. Applications to various courses are available at over 710+ SMU-DE Learning Centres covering 310 cities across India. For details, log on to http://www.smude.edu.in or Call: 1800-266-7878 (toll free) or SMS "SMUDE" to 5607002. Or write to us at enquiry@smude.edu.in

The University offers Post Graduate, Graduate, Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma programs across 10 disciplines. The disciplines include Allied Health, IT, Mass Communication, Biotechnology, Apparel & Fashion Design, Hospitality, Telecom Technology, Commerce, Management and Journalism. Also offered are advanced specializations in Total Quality Management, Operations Management, Project Management for its MBA program and MSc in Biotechnology.

Working professionals now have a chance to quality higher education, thus facilitating career enhancement.

Aspirants enrolling for the programs with SMU-DE will also stand to gain through the next generation learning system 'EduNxt' accessible via internet. EduNxt with its flexibility, convenience and accessibility offers a first of its kind learning environment in India. EduNxt enables small group mentoring, virtual classrooms, simulation and other interactive content, self-study content, recorded presentations and shared browsing. EduNxt empowers students with anywhere, anytime access. Students will experience a 'portable campus', 'carry along mentors' and will have access to over one million online books and journals – all at their fingertips!

Additionally, SMU-DE grants lateral entry to those aspirants with managerial experience. Under the Lateral Entry scheme, the first semester is waived off, allowing for faster completion of the course. The SMU-DE programmes combine academic rigour with personalized learning environment so working professionals who are short of time but not ambition, take that crucial step to a great career.

SMU-DE also provides Pro-Degrees programme, which gives students a degree that is equipped to make them more employable. There are 4 courses offered in the skill based B.Com and B.Sc Programmes. The B.com degree offers specialization in Financial Planning, Supply Chain Management and Export Import Management and the B.Sc programme offers specialization in Network Technology.

The Pro-Degree programmes are a set of innovative degree programs which address the needs of students for employability and industry demand for first day productivity. Students of these programs can look forward to acquiring trade-based skills and sector-specific/domain knowledge that will help them score an advantage over a regular degree. The Pro-Degrees programmes are designed to provide incremental employability with each diploma or certificate that the students get year on year till the end of the course.

The Pro-Degrees programme provides students with certificate or a diploma at the end of each year, year on year, on professional and technical skills that are certified by either one among Datacraft, FTDC, IndiaSkills. These skills are mapped to the specialisations being offered. The course construct is – certificate or diploma every year, ending with a degree. 1. Certificate2. Diploma3. Advanced Diploma + degree

SMU-DE is recognised & appreciated by students for its efficient processes like – prompt delivery of study materials to students, conduct of scheduled examinations, on-time declaration of results & swift dispatch of certificates & degrees.

About iRize – iRize is a human asset company (a placement entity) that has been set up to enable and empower individual jobseekers and enterprises to discover the right talent & achieve their business objectives. iRize will create a vibrant community, both online and offline of the biggest Fresher Talent Pool in the country and provide them a platform where they could interact, share, learn, find a career and realize their true potential. All current and new students of SMU-DE will stand to gain with iRize

About SMU & 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 and 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. In addition to formal university programmes delivered through 5 campuses in India and 4 overseas, Manipal Education also has a range of education offerings in distance education and vocational skills education. It also has industry leading partnerships such as the ICICI Manipal Academy for Banking (in association with ICICI Bank).

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. 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.

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