Prof. G Ram Reddy Center for Research & Development (GRCR&D)
INTRODUCTION:
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar Open University established a centre called Centre for Evaluation in 1988
The Visiting Committee from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 1989 has observed that the Centre for Evaluation has undertaken significant research studies and felt that these studies are a value edition to distance education. They suggested that the Centre for Evaluation should be consulted before starting any new programme in the university. In Accordance the branch with these started functioning. Distance Education Council (DEC) provided grants to the Centre for Evaluation to undertake research studies. The Centre for Evaluation acted as a nodal centre in building up systematic evaluation as a regular, routine, integrated and as a continuous process. The Centre was associated and worked in collaboration with the staff of other departments of the university and conducted evaluation studies on student response,academic and organizational aspects of teaching programmes,performance appraisal etc.
The Visiting Committee from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 1989 has observed that the Centre for Evaluation has undertaken significant research studies and felt that these studies are a value edition to distance education. They suggested that the Centre for Evaluation should be consulted before starting any new programme in the university. In Accordance the branch with these started functioning. Distance Education Council (DEC) provided grants to the Centre for Evaluation to undertake research studies. The Centre for Evaluation acted as a nodal centre in building up systematic evaluation as a regular, routine, integrated and as a continuous process. The Centre was associated and worked in collaboration with the staff of other departments of the university and conducted evaluation studies on student response,academic and organizational aspects of teaching programmes,performance appraisal etc.
In 2001 the Centre for Evaluation was named as “GRADE” – G. Ram Reddy Research Academy of Distance Education and was inaugurated on 19.01.2001.
In accordance with the new guidelines of UGC for establishment of research and development in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in2022 and in order to play a pivotal role in catalyzing multi-disciplinary/ trans-disciplinary research culture mandated in NEP 2020,Dr.BRAOU has renamed its earlier established institute of GRADE to G.RamReddy Center for Research & Development(GRRCR&D)
In accordance with the new guidelines of UGC for establishment of research and development in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in2022 and in order to play a pivotal role in catalyzing multi-disciplinary/ trans-disciplinary research culture mandated in NEP 2020,Dr.BRAOU has renamed its earlier established institute of GRADE to G.RamReddy Center for Research & Development(GRRCR&D)
VISION
GRADE conducts evaluation studies of students response,academic and organizational aspects of teaching programmes,performance appraisal and so on GRADE acts as a monitoring and evaluation agency for assessing the effectiveness of the instructions offered through various media to the students
GRADE caters to the needs of distance teaching institutions, distance educators, researchers, policymakers, organizations and institutions with research interests for promoting distance education. Its specific functions are geared to match the requirements of target groups and conducts evaluation studies on student responses to various academic programmes, study material and student performance.
OBJECTIVES
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To carry our system-based research in distance education in Indi, the Asian Region and beyond;
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To conduct workshops, seminars and training programmes on the evolving trends in Distance Education;
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To collaborate with institutions and agencies to undertake research in Distance Education in India and abroad for undertaking research inn distance education and its systems, methodologies and practices;
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To undertake consultancy services and commission projects related to the distance education systems to generate income;
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To promote and coordinate funding and sponsoring research projects in the areas of distance education;
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To disseminate knowledge through publication of research studies and other works in the field of Distance Education
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To establish, maintain and preserve all the important data, studies, research works in the form of data bank, electronic media etc., in the field of Distance Education and making accessible to the researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders;
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To organize exchange fellowships among Distance Education Institutions in the world; and
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To conduct education studies on academic and operational aspects of teaching programmes and study materials and on the systems of evaluation of student performance of the University.
In view of the new guidelines the objectives of GRRCR&D were redefined as follows:
- Creation of organizational structure, role based to formulate research policy of the University, identify thrust areas of research and form discipline-wise or related cluster groups.
- To create adequate autonomy for principal investigators with regard to financial autonomy and to disseminate research outcomes to stakeholders and public.
- To identify collaboration with other industry, research and academic organizations that can cooperate and form synergetic relationships in research.
- To liaise between researchers and relevant research funding agencies, extend guidance in preparation of project proposals and to see that the selected projects adhere to timelines.
- To coordinate the University-Industry inter-linkage, for incubation, innovation and entrepreneurship development of intellectual property rights.
- To develop a good research informational system for preparing the database of in-house research activity.
- To act as a nodal center for ideation and conceptualization of research topics by organizing workshops and training programmes.
- To utilize the services of superannuated faculty, if required, for research capacity building.
FUNCTIONS
One of the important functions of the Academy included organizing periodic interactive workshops on Research Methodology in Distance Education and preparing manuals on Research Methodology.
The Academy would further systematize the process of enquiry into distance education systems and procedures. Specific attention is given to impact studies, longitudinal studies and action research projects.Creating an exhaustive database on distance education in the regions/countries and providing access to the data to researchers has another important function to promote system-based research, which ensured enhancing the quality of learning material and excellence in scholarship.
Collaborative Research Projects have been undertaken by GRADE with other Distance Education Institutions in the world. The Academy plays a crucial role in inviting scholars with rich experience and eminent experts in distance education/open learning to carry out studies in curriculum design and quality teaching.
The Academy would further systematize the process of enquiry into distance education systems and procedures. Specific attention is given to impact studies, longitudinal studies and action research projects.Creating an exhaustive database on distance education in the regions/countries and providing access to the data to researchers has another important function to promote system-based research, which ensured enhancing the quality of learning material and excellence in scholarship.
Collaborative Research Projects have been undertaken by GRADE with other Distance Education Institutions in the world. The Academy plays a crucial role in inviting scholars with rich experience and eminent experts in distance education/open learning to carry out studies in curriculum design and quality teaching.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The important research studies conducted so far are project based research studies about the
Various practices adopted by the university in the process of admissions, development of
Course materials, printing and dispatch of course materials, arranging counseling classes in the
Study centers, conducting examinations and evaluation and declaration of results. The academy played a crucial role in inviting scholars with rich experience and eminent experts in distance education/ open learning to carryon studies in curriculum designing and quality teaching
Various practices adopted by the university in the process of admissions, development of
Course materials, printing and dispatch of course materials, arranging counseling classes in the
Study centers, conducting examinations and evaluation and declaration of results. The academy played a crucial role in inviting scholars with rich experience and eminent experts in distance education/ open learning to carryon studies in curriculum designing and quality teaching
INFRASTRUCTURE
GRADE has spacious and fully furnished rooms, well equipped with a modern computer facilities seminar Halls with audio-visual aids designed to develop technical depth and professional expertise and Library The knowledge repository has large collection of books in various disciplines of research in general and ODL systemic research in particular. It has a spacious reading room and reference section. National and International journals and latest research work can be accessed over the Internet which is an added facility. The rooms are provided with 24 hours power & water supply.
STAFF WORKING
The center is headed by Director Prof E. Sudha Rani, Mrs.Kanaka Durga and Research Associate,Mrs. T.G..Manjula, Sr.Assistant Mrs.Naomi Anitha, Data entry Operator Mr.Ram Prasad, Statistics Assistant, CH.LN Prasad and Balram Rathod Data entry Operator.
BRANCH ESTABLISHMENT DOCUMENTS EC/FC RESOLUTIONS.
CONCLUSION
Dr BRAOU is the first open University in the country to establish an exclusive unit called GRADE to carry out research and other activities to generate ideas and promote research in the field of distance education. Thus, the University stands first among all the Open Universities/DEI in the country to undertake systemic evaluation and research in the areas of courseware; print and non-print, student support services viz., student feedback on contact-cum-counseling classes, delivery of study material and on programmes on offer. The evaluation studies carried out by the University were considered by the sister universities in the country as first hand information on focal areas of Distance Education.
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| Name | Designation | CONTACT NUMBER | OFFICIAL MAIL ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr.V.V.Kanaka Durga | Deputy Director Prof. G Ram Reddy Center for Research and Development (GRCR&D) |
040-236801378 | kakakadirgamul12409@gamil.com |