Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) was established on 1st June 1996 with the assent of H.E. Governor of Karnataka as a full fledged University in the academic year 1996 vide Government notification no ED 1 UOV 95 dated 12th February 1996 (KSOU Act – 1992). The act was promulgated with the object to incorporate an Open University at the State level for the introduction and promotion of Open University and Distance Education systems in the education pattern of the State and for the Co-ordination and determination of standard of such systems.
With the virtue of KSOU Act of 1992, Karnataka State Open University is empowered to establish, maintain or recognize Colleges, Regional Centres and Study Centres at such places in Karnataka and may also open outside Karnataka at such places as it deems fit.
Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi, has accorded recognition to Karnataka State Open University, Mysore for offering Programmes / Courses approved by the Statutory bodies of the University. KarnatakaState Open University is a recognized University of Distance Education Council under the agies of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) (Revised notification F. No. DEC/OU/Recog./2008).
Karnataka State Open University is a regular member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi since 1999 (No. EV/11(80)/99/203935-4172).
Karnataka State Open University is a permanent member of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU),London, United Kingdomsince 1999. Its member code is: ZKASOPENUINI.
Karnataka State Open University is a permanent member of Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU),Beijing, Chinasince 1999.
Karnataka State Open University has association with Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada since 2003. COL is an intergovernmental organization created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning / distance education knowledge, resources and technologies.
