The floods that ravaged several parts of the state, also hit admissions of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU).
As many as 8,870 candidates took admission in KSOU as there was a poor response in Uttara Kannada, Kalaburagi, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, Shivamogga, Dakshina Kannada and Belagavi and other flood-hit districts.
Disclosing it to media persons here on Wednesday, KSOU vice-chancellor S Vidyashankar said they could have got another 5,000 admissions if floods had not hit the state.
Though the KSOU had written to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to extend admissions by one month, there was no response in this regard, he added.
Expressing displeasure over conventional universities offering distance education courses, he said they have brought it to the notice of the chancellor and the government urging to stop them from offering courses as KSOU is meant to meet the need of the education of candidates denied of an opportunity to get into regular universities.
He feared that the survival of the KSOU is at risk and wanted the government to act to save the university with 700 staff. He said the university requires `36 crore to pay salaries alone per annum.
Vidyasagar said they have issued degree certificates to candidates and will give markscards to candidates who got admissions between 2013- 15 for humanities courses. However, the varsity will not give marks cards to candidates admitted to technical courses as it is the responsibility of the collaborator institute, he added.
But, the varsity is also considering candidates who have got admitted to non-technical courses in KSOU to give them a final chance to appear for the examination to pass the course on humanitarian grounds, the VC said.
Open university VCs meet
In a bid to discuss many core issues that are affecting KSOU, the KSOU has organised All India Open Universities Vice-Chancellors' meet that will be inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwanth Narayana on September 6 at 11 am.
He said UGC joint secretary Avichal Kapur, MP Pratap Simha, ex-VC N S Rame Gowda and others will speak on the occasion.