As students seek Pune centre for YCMOU’s MA journalism course, official hints at good news

Ramesh Bhosale, another applicant, said, “Pune is considered the Oxford of the East, yet the MA journalism course is not available at the state’s education hub. A Pune centre would benefit students across western Maharashtra as well.”

In response, Vishwas Gaikwad, Pune’s regional director of YCMOU, told The Indian Express, “The centre allocation in Pune was not finalised as our requested centres did not fulfil the eligibility criteria set by the University Grants Commission for distance education. And this was also the case with some other post-graduate (PG) courses.”

“For the MA in Journalism course, the centre allocation is in process at Mahatma Phule College, Pimpri, and Mamasaheb Mohol College in Paud. We run courses even if a single student has enrolled, while the upper limit for the MA Journalism course is 30. The centre allocation will be done by July 29, and applicants are advised to wait till then, so they can apply accordingly,” added Gaikwad.

Students prefer YCMOU for its flexible learning approach and cost-effective programmes, which appeal to working professionals. “We request the YCMOU to add Pune as a centre from this academic year itself,” Ekad added.