Tamil Nadu Open University

{{Short description|Open university based in Chennai, India}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox university

| name = Tamil Nadu Open University

| image = Tamil Nadu Open University logo.png

| caption =

| motto = Education for all and ever

| established = {{start date and age|2002}}

| chancellor = Governor of Tamil Nadu

| vice_chancellor =S. Aurumugam

| city = Chennai

| state = Tamil Nadu

| country = India

| type = State university

| campus = Urban

| affiliations = UGC

| website = {{url|www.tnou.ac.in}}

| founder =

}}

Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU) is an Indian institution for open and distance learning established by the government of Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in 2002 and is based in Chennai.

The university was established by the Legislative Assembly of the government of Tamil Nadu in Act 27 of 2002 to provide access to higher education for those who had been previously unable to pursue it.{{cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/tamil-nadu-open-university-tnou-chennai-invites-application-for-recruitment-to-various-vacant-posts/1/379983.html |title=Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai invites application for recruitment to various vacant posts |newspaper=India Today |date=30 August 2014 }} It opened in 2003,{{cite web |url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/tamil-nadu-open-university-ug-pg-practical-examination-march-2014-hall-tickets-download-1393322925-1 |title=Tamil Nadu Open University: UG/PG Practical Examination March 2014 Hall Tickets Download |website=Jagran Josh.com |date=25 February 2014 }} was recognized by the University Grants Commission in September 2015,{{cite web |author=Jagran Josh |url=http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/tamil-nadu-open-university-got-ugc-recognition-1442923310-1 |title=Tamil Nadu Open University got UGC recognition |website=Jagran Josh.com |date=22 September 2015 }} and is one of five universities approved to offer distance learning outside its state of establishment.{{cite news |author=Anupama Mili |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/231117/out-of-kerala-varsities-flout-rules.html |title=Kerala: Out of state varsities flout rules |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |date=23 November 2017 }} {{As of|2016|01}} it was one of 14 state open universities in India, which also has one national open university, Indira Gandhi National Open University;{{cite news |author=Ashmita Gupta |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150905/nation-current-affairs/article/vcs-upset-over-ugc%E2%80%99s-stand-online-courses |title=VCs upset over UGC’s stand on online courses |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |date=10 January 2016 |orig-year=5 September 2015 }} {{As of|2017|04|lc=y}} it was one of 111 distance learning institutions in the country.{{cite news |author=Anisha Singh |url=https://www.ndtv.com/education/distance-education-where-to-pursue-courses-in-distance-mode-in-india-1678113 |title=Distance Education: Where To Pursue Courses In Distance Mode In India |publisher=NDTV |date=6 April 2017 }} {{As of|2017|12}} it offers 113 programmes of study at levels from certificate to post graduate and has 13 academic schools, five support divisions, a media centre and more than 600 learner support centres across Tamil Nadu.{{cite web |url=http://www.tnou.ac.in/about-university/ |title=About the University |publisher=Tamil Nadu Open University |access-date=10 December 2017 }}

Students are admitted under two admission cycles, calendar year (January to December) and academic year (July to June). They include those living in remote and rural areas, working people, handicapped students, housewives and retirees such as a 67-year-old woman who later completed an MA in history with Madras University,{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/67-year-old-defies-odds-to-pursue-her-ma/articleshow/61863369.cms |title=67-year-old defies odds to pursue her MA |newspaper=The Times of India |date=30 November 2017 | access-date=27 January 2019 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/five-decade-old-dream-comes-true-for-67-year-old/article21041349.ece |title=Five-decade-old dream comes true for 67-year-old |newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 November 2017 | access-date=27 January 2019 }} and prisoners.{{cite news |author=A Selvaraj |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/6030-prisoners-completed-their-academic-courses-in-2016-17-academic-year-adgp-says/articleshow/59491467.cms |title=6,030 prisoners completed their academic courses in 2016-17 academic year, ADGP says |newspaper=The Times of India |date=7 July 2017 }}