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Throughout the world, more than 65 open universities provide open and equal access to education. Students do not require any formal academic qualifications or credentials in order to be admitted. The 10 largest open universities worldwide have a combined enrolment exceeding 16.5 million students, with the largest numbers in Asia followed by Africa and Europe.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (India) has over 4 million registrations, the Open University of China has now grown to over 3.5 million registrations, and its Bangladesh counterpart just over 2 million. The oldest open university in the world is the University of South Africa (more commonly known as UNISA), which was founded in 1873 as an examining body and since 1946, offers correspondence courses.
Open universities currently use a range of pedagogical approaches and delivery modes ranging from print, to radio and television, online learning and blended learning or combinations of these delivery forms.
They have a common commitment to open access to quality learning and student success.
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Contact North | Contact Nord respectfully acknowledges that our work, and the work of our community partners, takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across the province.
We are grateful to be able to work and live in these territories. We are thankful to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who have cared for these territories since time immemorial and who continue to strengthen Ontario and all communities across the province.