Bhaskar Tatikonda
DOST (Degree Online Services, Telangana) has become a role model for all other states in the country. This innovative and hassle-free online admission process has eliminated a lot of confusion and chaos that used to be there earlier. This student and college-friendly admission system has completed nine years and now entered its 10th.
Excel India spoke to Telangana State Council of Higher Education chairman Prof Limbadri at his council chambers, in Hyderabad, on the occasion. Excerpts from the exclusive interview:
Q: Congratulations for steering DOST successfully for nine years and entering 10th year. Tell us about its origin and development.
The UGC in 2014-15 has brought in some reforms like Choice Based Credit System and RUSA, etc, to improve the higher education sector. The UGC also wanted a transparent and efficient online admission process in colleges. Until then, we have only a manual process of admissions.
In this, every student used to go to different colleges and apply for different courses and combinations. At the time, I was the Registrar of Telangana University. The then officials involved me in a process to find out how best we can replace the manual admissions with online ones and make it beneficial to students.
Then I held a meeting with the college principals in Nizamabad district and discussed the need to improve the admission system. But doubts were expressed over the online method. Still we went ahead and evolved a mechanism for online processes and introduced the same from 2016.
I came to Osmania University later but was closely associated with the online admission process at the State Council of Higher Education. In 2017, I came to the council as the Vice-Chairman. Since August 2017, I have been associated with DOST (Degree Online Services, Telangana).
Q: What was the initial experience and response?
It was very good. We have consulted all the stakeholders in this process — students, parents and principals. We have also utilized services of the Centre for Good Governance. Initially, some problems have come up. One by one, we sorted them out within no time.
In the course of time, we have asked the government degree colleges to set up a helpline to assist students in the admission process. Mobile numbers and Aadhaar were linked for applying online. We introduced a selfie-based face recognition method for applicants. WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and Chat Box too were involved in the process.
Trust & Transparency
Q: How was the students and parents feedback?
It was excellent. This DOST reduces a lot of manual work of the earlier system – where students used to visit every college and apply separately for each course. DOST has brought in trust and transparency into the system. A lot of physical strain has been avoided, saving a lot of time and money for students.
Trust and transparency are the two additional benefits of DOST. I know earlier there used to be a lot of recommendations for a seat in Nizam College, Hyderabad. Students from villages and without recommendations found it difficult to get a seat in such top colleges.
But, all that has gone. All seats are allotted in a transparent manner through an online system where there is no scope for manipulation. A student sitting at his home in a remote village can apply for a choicest course in a choicest college. Admission letters are sent to the student through mobile and email. So easy is this.
Q: Any other states in India have this kind of system?
We are the first in our country. Even the UGC has appreciated our effort and the smooth functioning of DOST. This is a student-friendly process. With just Rs 200 of application fee, a student can apply for around 1,000 government and private degree colleges in Telangana.
This saved them a lot of money, travel and stress. On the other hand, we have instilled in them confidence that there are no manipulations in the allotment of seats. For example, Koti Women’s College used to have students only from some informed sections of society. But, today, we have girls from all 33 districts of Telangana studying there. This is a remarkable change, made possible only because of DOST. Payment of fee too is allowed through online. This empowers students like anything. Colleges too find it convenient and a time saving process.
Q: What are the new improvements in DOST?
We have been safeguarding reservation protections including EWS to different categories of students. Besides traditional BA, BCom, BSc, with existing combinations, we have been adding all new courses to DOST. Skill-oriented courses like BBA retail marketing, healthcare management are added.
This year, we have introduced courses like BA Policy and Governance, BCom Finance, BA History, Economics, Political Science and BSc Life Science (Honours) and Biomedical Sciences. In fact, we are responsive to new and changing requirements in higher education. For example, we have BBA e-Commerce operations.
The registration trends in DOST for 2023 are good. DOST-Aadhaar OTP registration was 82.13 per cent, Meeseva biometrics registration – 10.92 per cent and TAppFolio facial recognition for Board of Intermediate Education students – 6.95 per cent.
Q: How is the response from other states?
Many states are eager to implement this system. Officials of states, including Punjab and Maharashtra have visited us to study our DOST. Of course, we too are making necessary changes to the system as and when it is needed. Today, 2.5 lakh students are allotted seats through DOST.
