Shoolini University joins hands with CSC to promote Online Education in rural India

Solan, May 26
In a landmark development aimed at democratising higher education, Shoolini Center for Distance and Online Education (SCDOE), today entered into a strategic partnership with Common Service Centers (CSCs) to expand the reach of online and distance learning programmes to students in remote and rural areas across India.
The collaboration was officially launched at an event held at Shoolini University, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to extending quality education beyond urban boundaries. With maximum CSCs operating across the country, the initiative aimed to revolutionise rural education by providing admission support, digital infrastructure, and academic mentorship to aspiring learners.
The event began with a formal welcome, followed by Saraswati Vandana, traditional lamp lighting, and the felicitation of Mr. Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, Managing Director, CSC, and Mrs. Nishi Rakesh.
Addressing the audience, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Rakesh stated that the day marked the beginning of a long and impactful journey between CSC and Shoolini University.
Mr Sanjay added that CSC Academy is an essential part of the Make in India initiative. If India envisions a digital revolution, it must strengthen online education. This collaboration offered a 360-degree opportunity to serve all Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). Our vision is well-aligned with the Viksit Bharat Abhiyan, and this partnership was expected to add significant value to employment-oriented education in rural regions.”
In his keynote address, Mr. Ashish Khosla, Founder and President of Shoolini University, emphasised the importance of digital outreach in reducing the educational divide. The mission was to empower. India currently has a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of just 28%. Digital education could serve as the bridge to address this gap and ensure equitable access to learning.
Dr. Amar Raj Singh Suri, Director of SCDOE, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the structure and scope of the programs. Dr Amar said, our mission is to expand digital learning across the nation and assist all VLEs through comprehensive, accessible programs.”
Highlighting the admission process, Mr. Ankur Chawla, Vice President Admissions SCDOE, demonstrated the digital counselling and seamless enrollment system offered via CSCs.
Dr. Pooja Verma, Assistant Director, SCDOE and Associate professor Management, showcased the university’s advanced Learning Management System (LMS), academic resources, and robust mentorship frameworks tailored for distance learners.
Dr Pooja said, The core objective is to overcome the challenges faced by rural students and guide them toward academic success. The presentation also included an overview of ODL (Open and Distance Learning) courses being conducted via various Shoolini platforms.
The event also honored Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) for their vital role in grassroots-level implementation of digital education.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Jitender Arora, Chief Business Officer, Shoolini University. In his concluding remark he said, this partnership, under the Digital India mission, ensured that geographical barriers no longer restricted access to quality higher education. The collaboration promised to usher in a new era of learning in rural India.
The proceedings and stage were conducted by Ms. Tanaya Thakur, who anchored the event with professionalism.