Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) was established in the year 2005 by an Act of State Legislature. It is mandated to promote the dissemination of learning and knowledge through the medium of Open and Distance Learning (ODL). Ever since its establishment, the University has made strides in different areas. The Open and Distance Learning is of paramount importance for expansion of Higher Education in our country, specifically when the higher education sector is undergoing a major transformation. The institutions of higher learning play a vital role in meeting the needs and demands of the rapidly growing economy of our country as underlined in the reports of the Knowledge Commission. The faculty and staff of Uttarakhand Open University are putting in their best efforts to make its presence felt in this national endeavour.

Following the philosophy of ODL, the University is also maintaining the policy of openness and flexibility in terms of relaxed entry, duration for completing a programme and place of study. Continuous efforts are being made to widen the access by offering high quality innovative and need based programmes at different levels especially for the disadvantaged and marginalized segments of society at affordable cost by using different forms of media and technology.

The University is imparting education and training through a network of Regional Centres and Study Centres spread across the State. The study centres are established by the University for advising, counseling and for rendering any other assistance required by the students.