Postgraduate ODL programs for women in Assam: a comparative institutional analysis

Purpose Open and distance learning (ODL) has become an effective means of expanding access to higher education. The present study attempts to analyze the impact of postgraduate ODL programs in empowering female students in Assam, taking into consideration economic empowerment, educational empowerment, social empowerment and technological empowerment, grounded in empowerment theory, which emphasizes increased access to resources, agency and capability development. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a descriptive survey research design to elicit information from 300 female postgraduates who were randomly selected from three open and distance learning institutions in Assam: Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU), Gauhati Regional Center of Indira Gandhi National Open University (GRC-IGNOU) and Gauhati University Institute of Distance and Open Learning (GUIDOL). Findings The study revealed that ODL programs contributed significantly to the empowerment of women by improving their economic, educational, social and technological capabilities. Most of the respondents experienced the benefits of economic security, employment opportunities, increased knowledge, social status and technological awareness because of the programs. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between general and professional programs regarding student benefits; however, some significant differences were found between institutions. The study concluded that postgraduate ODL programs play an important role in empowering women and promoting access to higher education in Assam. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to representative ODL institutions of Assam. The sample size was limited to only 300 as the response rate was significantly low compared to the completed PG learners. The intended learner respondents were selected using a random sampling technique. Practical implications ODL is crucial, as it can play a pivotal role in providing educational opportunities to deprived sections and a greater scope for skill development in chosen fields, in a self-paced and flexible manner. Therefore, every learner will need to update their prior knowledge and skills. It is also being noted that in the Indian context, women are more underprivileged and relatively deprived in accessing their educational, economic and social rights compared to their male counterparts. Therefore, it is pertinent to discuss to what extent education in general and ODL in particular can play a vital role in making women learners competent with basic skills, besides making them fit in the present technology-based society and the job market. Social implications With the help of findings of the study, the investigator came to know the benefits of the programs in changing the lives of the women learners at the personal and social levels, etc. This research work was designed to be a support for practitioners, researchers, analysts, policy makers and others to understand the efficacy of the ODL system from the perspectives of the women learners. Originality/value This paper is original in the sense that no such studies have been carried out, taking the cross-analysis among the three major ODL Institutions in Assam, India. The research helps in mapping the effectiveness of the courses, which eventually explores the level of knowledge and skills of the learners. The study will help the marginalized women to know about the benefits of the ODL courses and thereby would motivate them for taking up education through this mode. It would make people in general aware about the education through the ODL mode and their benefits.