(1) There shall be established a University by the name of the Uttarakhand Open University.
(2) The headquarters of the University shall be at Haldwani (Nainital) and it may establish or maintain colleges or Study Centres at such other places in the State as it may deem fit.
(3) The Vice-Chancellor and the members of the Executive Council and Academic Council for the time being holding office as such in the University, shall constitute a body corporate by the name of the Uttarakhand Open University.
(4) The University shall have perpetual succession and common seal and shall sue and be sued by the said name.
The Objects of the University
4. The University shall promote dissemination of learning and knowledge through distance education systems including the use of any communication technology to provide opportunities for higher education to a large segment of the population and shall, in organizing its activities, have due regard to the objects specified in the first schedule.
Powers of the University
5. The University shall have the following powers, namely :-
(1) To provide for instruction in such branches of knowledge, technology, vocations and professions as the University may determine from time to time and to make provision for research as well as sponsored research;
(2) To plan and prescribe courses of study for degrees, diplomas certificates or for any other purpose;
(3) To hold examinations and confer degrees, diplomas, certificates or other academic distinctions or recognitions on persons who have pursued a course of study or conducted research in the manner laid down by the Statutes and Ordinances;
(4) To confer honorary degrees or other distinctions in manner prescribed;
(5) To determine the manner in which distance education in relation to the academic programmes of the University may be organized;
(6) To institute professorships, readerships, lectureships and other academic positions necessary for imparting instruction or for preparing educational material or for conducting other academic activities, including guidance, designing and delivery of courses and evaluation of the work done by the students, and to appoint persons to such professorships, readerships, lectureships and other academic positions;
(7) To co-operate with, and seek the co-operation of, other universities and institution of higher learning, professional bodies and organizations for such purposes as the University considers necessary;
(8) To institute and award fellowships, scholarships, prizes and such other awards for recognition of merit as the University may deem fit;
(9) To establish and maintain such Regional Centres, as may be determined by the University from time to time;
(10) To establish, maintain or recognize Study Centres in the manner prescribed;
(11) To provide for the preparation of instructional materials, including films, cassettes, tapes, video cassettes and other software;
(12) To organise and conduct refresher courses, workshops, seminars and other programmes for teachers, lesson writers, evaluators and other academic staff;
(13) To recognize examinations of, or periods of study whether in full or part, at other universities, institutions or other places of higher learning as equivalents to examinations or periods of study in the University, and to withdraw such recognition at any time;
(14) To make provisions for research, sponsored research and development in education technology and related matters;
(15) To create administrative, ministerial and other necessary posts and to make appointments thereto;
(16) "To receive benefactions, donations and gifts and to acquire, hold, maintain and dispose off any property movable or immovable, including Trust and Government property, for the purposes of the University;
(17) To borrow, with the approval of the State Government whether on the security of the property of the University or otherwise, money for the purposes of the University; .
(18) To enter into, carry out, vary or cancel contracts;
(19) To demand and receive such fees and other charges as may be laid down by the Ordinances;
(20) To provide, control and maintain discipline among the students and all categories of employees and to lay down the conditions of service of such employees, including their codes of conduct;
(21) To appoint, either on contract or otherwise, visiting professors, emeritus professors, consultants, fellows, scholars, artists, course writers and such other person who may contribute to the advancement of the objects of the University;
(22) To recognize persons working in other Universities, institutions or organizations as teachers of the University on such terms and conditions as may be laid down by the Ordinances;
(23) To determine standards and specify conditions for the admission of students to courses of study of the University which may include examination, evaluation and any other methods of testing;
(24) To make arrangements for the promotion of the general health and welfare of the employees;
(25) To confer autonomous status on a college or Regional Centre in the manner prescribed in the statutes;
(26) To do all such acts as may be necessary or incidental to the exercise of all or any of the powers of the University as are necessary and conducive to the promotion of all or any of the Objects of the University.
Territorial exercise of powers
6. Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the University shall in the exercise of its powers have Jurisdiction over the State of Uttarakhand.
University open to all classes and creeds