On Thursday, the Kerala government announced the establishment of an Open University named after social reformer Sree Narayana Guru in the state next month.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti Day, the first open university on behalf of Sree Narayana Guru will be launched in the ancient coastal town of Kollam.
The announcement by the chief minister came one day after Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti was observed by the state on September 2, marking the Guru's 164th anniversary of birth, a saint who fought against the then prevalent caste system.
He said the open university would be introduced in the state 's four universities, connecting the distance education systems. People of all ages will study in the university where online classes will be offered by eminent teachers and experts. For the new university, laboratories and other basic government facilities and state-aided colleges will be used, Chief minister said.