Recognition
1. Is Sikkim Manipal University approved by UGC?
The Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences, Sikkim was set up based on State Legislative Act (Act IX of 1995) of Govt. of Sikkim and is recognised by Union Ministry of HRD and the University Grants Commission. vide UGC Circular No.FI-B/ 92 (CPP) dated February 1992 & AIU Circular No. EV/ B (449) / 94/176915-177115 dated January, 1994.
2. Is Sikkim Manipal University Distance Eduction Programme is approved by DEC?
Yes, the Sikkim Manipal University Distance Eduction is recognised by DEC for 3 academic years - 2009-10 to 2011-12
3. Is Sikkim Manipal University a part of AIU?
Yes, Sikkim Manipal University is apart of AIU. Sikkim Manipal University's Degrees / Diplomas / Certificates are recognised by all members of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are at par with Degrees/ Diplomas/ Certificates of all Indian Universities/ Deemed Universities/ Institutions
About University
1. What is Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences?
The Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences (SMU), Gangtok has been set up under Section 2 (f) of UGC Act 1956 vide Sikkim State Legislative Act (Act 1X of 1995). The University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities. The statute of SMU permits the University to offer programmes under distance learning mode across the country and abroad. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure, worth approximately Rs.150 crores, provides excellent facilities to students. The constituent institutions of the university are:
• Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Science (SMIMS)
• Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT)
• Directorate of Distance Education (DDE)
What do you mean by Distance Education?
Distance Education refers to education which is imparted over long distances. SMU offers many Distance Education programmes as part of its effort to provide education to students who, for various reasons, cannot join the formal education stream. Postgraduate, graduate degree level courses and postgraduate diploma level courses are offered in different disciplines such as IT, management studies, vocational sciences, life sciences and allied health sciences. All the students who have enrolled in the programme are provided with programme guides and Self Learning Material (SLM) for respective courses. This is further supplemented by learning through lectures by faculty, who are also called academic counsellors at the Learning Centre and lectures delivered through VSAT. The University uses a nationwide network of Learning Centres for various programmes. The concept of the ‘Virtual Classroom' is used by the Sikkim Manipal University wherein lectures are broadcast from studios at Manipal, Bangalore and Mumbai and received by the students at various Learning Centres all over the country. The programme guide supplied to the student contains the assignments to be submitted by the student. Depending upon the subject, the required amount of practical training is imparted to students in the Learning centre.
What is the difference between Correspondence Course and Distance Education?
In a correspondence course, a student is expected to study on his/ her own from the Self Learning Material (SLM) provided by the University. A student does not have the benefit of a teacher for most part of the learning process who can provide him/ her with academic counseling. Click here to learn more about Correspondence Courses.
Distance Education is more structured and the teacher-student contact is better. The student is assigned to a Learning Centre. The centre conducts counselling and tutoring in a classroom environment to provide fundamental knowledge on different topics. The students submit assignments to the Learning Centre which are evaluated and the academic counsellors at the Learning Centres provide students with a continuous assessment of their performances. Click here to learn more about Distance Education.
Is Sikkim Manipal University approved by UGC?
The Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences, Sikkim was set up based on State Legislative Act (Act IX of 1995) of Govt. of Sikkim and is recognised by Union Ministry of HRD and the University Grants Commission. Sikkim Manipal University's Degrees/ Diplomas/ Certificates are recognised by all members of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and are at par with Degrees/ Diplomas/ Certificates of all Indian Universities/ Deemed Universities/ Institutions vide UGC Circular No.FI-B/ 92 (CPP) dated February 1992 & AIU Circular No. EV/ B(449) / 94/176915-177115 dated January, 1994.
Is it compulsory to attend classes under Distance Education Mode?
Each course provides counselling and hands-on training at Learning Centres. Students, in their own interest, are advised to attend these classes. However, attendance is not mandatory.
In case I join the Distance Learning Course of the University, is there any other payment other than course and examination fees that I need to pay?
Course fee and examination fees are detailed in the University Prospectus. No other payment is required to be paid to the University
To get admission under Distance Education of your university courses, do I need to go through an entrance examination?
There is no entrance examination for admission to any of the courses of the university at present. The admission to the courses is purely based on eligibility conditions related to academic qualifications of a student.
Is there a convocation at the end of the course?
SMU holds its convocation once in a year. The dates for the convocation are decided by Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok. Usually, the convocation is held during September to December every year. However, please note that due to space constraints only selected distance education students, based on their merit position in the examinations are invited for the convocation.
Admission related
1. When are the Admissions?
Admissions for Indian (Domestic) students: The Spring Session commences in February every year; the Fall Session commences in August every year. Students are advised to refer to the Regional/ National daily news papers from time to time and also the University's Directorate of Distance Education (DE) website www.smude.edu.in for admission related announcements. Prospectus and applications can be obtained from the university recognised Learning Centres. Click here to find a Learning Centre closest to you.
Admission for Centres Overseas: Spring Session commences in April and Fall Session commences in October for overseas Learning Centres every year. Students are advised to refer to the university's Directorate of Distance Education website www.smude.edu.in for admission related announcements. Prospectus and application can be obtained from the university recognised learning centres. Click here to find a Learning Centre closest to you.
NOTE: Admission will be granted only to those candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria.
2. What is the procedure for admission of students who have not received the result of eligibility qualification?
Students in their final year or who have appeared in their final exams and are awaiting results can apply, provided their examinations including practical examinations/ viva/ assignments are over before 30th May for the Spring Session (February) and 30th November for the Fall (August) Session. The admission of the applicant will, however, remain provisional until he/ she produces mark sheets and degree certificate confirming the eligibility on or before the dates stipulated by SMU-DE. Provisional admission will automatically stand cancelled and the student will cease to be on rolls in case these documents are not submitted by due date. Such students will not be permitted to appear for the university examinations. No communication will be provided in this regard. Fee paid is not refundable.
3. What are the documents to be enclosed as eligibility proof along with admission application form?
Filled in application form has to be complete. Applicant is advised to read the instructions carefully before filling up the application form. All the supporting documents (as specified in the Prospectus/ application form) should be enclosed along with the application form and should be attested by a Gazetted Officer or Notary Public or by the Head of the Institution last attended.
Documents to be enclosed:
• Course Fee Demand Draft drawn in favour of "Sikkim Manipal University, DE" payable at Manipal/ Udupi only will be considered.
Note: for course fee (semester-wise) details are provided in the University Prospectus.
• Xth Standard Certificate for age proof or birth certificate
• Educational Proof Certificates starting from Xth Standard have to be enclosed for verification of eligibility criteria
• When a Degree or Diploma ‘Provisional Pass Certificate' is enclosed, it is advisable to enclose the Mark Sheets of all the three/ four years, as the case may be
• Those who have not obtained the Provisional/ Degree Certificate are advised to enclose all three/ four years pass Mark Sheets along with the Course Completion Certificate obtained from the Principal/ Director of institution where last studied. Duly certified Provisional Certificate/ Degree Certificate has to be forwarded within the stipulated period as laid down by the University
• Candidates who have working experience have to enclose the ‘Experience Certificate' obtained from the employer
For more details on matters related to admission, contact the Help Desk at smuhelpdesk@manipalu.com
What are some of the reasons that may lead to rejection of an application?
Applications shall be rejected without assigning any reasons for the following reasons.
• Incomplete application form
• Non-enclosure of proof of eligibility qualifications
• Non-enclosure of Demand Draft or in case it is an outstation Demand Draft or Cheque/ Cash
• Documents enclosed are not attested by Gazetted Officer or Notary Public or Head of Institution last attended
Can there be a refund of fees after admission or if a student withdraws from the course?
Fee once paid is not refundable under any circumstances.
Is there any provision to pursue more than one course at a time?
There is no provision for doing more than one course of SMU-DE at the same time.
What is Lateral Entry?
We offer Lateral Entry to students with managerial experience. In the Lateral Entry scheme, students have to appear and pass the first semester examination. Books of 1st semester will be supplied by the University and internal assessment will be completed at the Learning Centre. For further details, please refer to the prospectus.
What is Credit System?
The ‘Credit System' is followed for all courses offered through distance education mode. The credit system is a systematic way of describing an educational programme by allotting specific time to a particular subject. Each credit amounts to 30 hours of learning activities i.e., reading and comprehending the printed study material, attending counseling sessions, VSAT lectures, preparing assignments, etc.
What is Re-registration?
A student doing a course through Distance Education has to register himself/ herself for each semester to become eligible to appear for the University examinations. The terms ‘Fresh Registration' and ‘Re-registration' are explained below: -
• Fresh Admission or Registration - New candidates seeking admission are required to fill up Fresh Admission or Registration form.
• Re-registration - existing students who get promoted to higher semesters have to Re-register at the beginning of a session and it is termed as Re-registration.
Re-registration to the higher semester is mandatory to become eligible to appear for the University examination for existing students.
Can a student register for two Semesters simultaneously?
Re-registration to two semesters simultaneously is not permitted.
What is Re-sitting?
If a student fails to clear any of the paper (s) or all subjects of a semester, he/ she has to re-appear for the relevant paper (s) or semester by applying and filling up the re-sitting form along with relevant examination fee. The form will be made available at least three months before the university examinations along with necessary instructions.
What is Re-admission?
• If a student can not complete his/ her course within the maximum period stipulated, even though he/ she had re-registered earlier for all semesters, he/ she is permitted to apply for Re-admission using a maximum of 20 credits per session.
• If a student has discontinued his course without registering for one or more semesters with/ without fee arrears (for earlier semesters), he/ she is required to apply for semester-wise Re-admission for each session, starting from the earliest non-re-registered semester. Also, a student can apply for Re-admission for course (s) worth 4 credits in which he/ she has arrears from the previously Re-registered semesters.
The form should be complete in all respects and submitted along with necessary support documents and requisite fee. Incomplete application forms will not be considered for processing.
Examinations
1. What is the procedure to be followed in case of loss of examination documents like admit card, identity card, etc?
No student is permitted to appear in the examination without the admit card and identity card. Please note that in case of last minute loss of documents i.e. ID card or admit card, the incident should be reported to the University immediately. The student is required to file a FIR and forward an affidavit for the loss to the Controller of Examinations (COE). Further, he/ she has to obtain written permission from the COE to appear in the examination. His/ her result will not be published, if he/ she appears without the permission of the COE and also, until the matter is regularised. Immediately after the examination, he/ she shall obtain a new ID card by sending the format available on the website along with a copy of the above documents to the Additional Registrar.
2. What is the procedure if a mistake is made while filling in the Re-sitting Application Form?
A student should be careful while he/ she fills the application form. the admit card is issued according to the application form filled by the student. If a student has made any mistake, he/ she should immediately bring it to the notice of the Additional Registrar through his/ her Learning Centre. The University reserves the right to accept or reject such requests.
3. What is the procedure for obtaining examination centre transfer?
The request has to reach the University at least 2 months before the university examinations.
The following procedures have to be followed:
• Send an application stating that a change in examination centre is required
• Obtain the NOC of the Learning Centre where registered
• Provide the reasons for requesting examination centre transfer
• Provide the proof of the reason, if available
• Enclose a demand draft favouring Sikkim Manipal University, DE, payable at Manipal/Udupi as prescribed in the form.
NOTE: The University reserves the right to accept or reject such requests.
4. What are the consequences of making a mistake in the answer sheet (e.g. roll no. or subject code wrongly written)?
A student has to strictly adhere to the rules mentioned in the question paper. However, the student shall forward a written request for the mistake committed and the changes required. The results will not be published in all such cases. The University is empowered to accept the request or otherwise.
5. What are the consequences of appearing in the examination without the admit card?
Student cannot appear in the examination without the admit card. If the student has appeared in the examination without the admit card, then his/ her result will not be published and suitable action will be initiated against the student.
6. Why do two semester subjects clash in the examination time table?
The problem basically arises for students who have accumulated too many backlog papers. The examination time table is drawn to enable regular students to appear for even or odd semesters. However, there may be students who have accumulated backlogs of their previous even and odd semesters. As a result, a case may arise when the paper of an even semester from the backlog may clash with another paper of another even semester. The same case may arise with odd semester papers. There is no provision to appear for two separate papers in the same session on a particular day.
7. What is a clash of papers? How to avoid?
Unlike other vertical programmes, Re-registration to the higher semesters in SMU is not linked to clearance of the previous semesters. This structure provides ample chance to the student to clear the backlog papers.
A student gets two consecutive chances to clear a paper, except in case of Lateral Entry. The grouping of the subjects permits a student to appear in the backlog papers in every alternative semester. For instance a backlog paper of the 1st semester can be taken with the 2nd Semester and the 4th semester along with the 6th semester together. Hence, he/ she gets four chances to appear for a subject.
In case of lateral entry cases, the student recieves three chances. In every backlog paper, a student gets a minimum of two consecutive chances. The schedule of the examination is such that all the odd semester examinations are held together. Similarly, even semester examinations are grouped together. This system enables a student to appear for the papers of two semesters provided the combination of the semester is odd and even. While filling the Re-sitting applications for the back papers, the students should meticulously plan as to which papers they would like to appear for whenever there is a clash of papers due to above reason.
Please note that the University will issue the admit card for all the backlog papers as requested in the Re-sitting application submitted by the student irrespective of the paper clashing or not. However, the student will be permitted to appear in any one of the papers of his choice.
8. When are the supplementary examinations?
There are no supplementary examinations. The University doesn't have any provision for supplementary examinations. The examinations are held twice a year for Indian students as under:
• Examination for the Spring Session (February to July): Examination will be held in the month of July
• Examination for the Fall Session (August to January): Examination will be held in the month of January.
The exact dates will be published on the website three months prior to the commencement of the examination.
9. What is the passing percentage according to Old and New Regulation?
• Old Regulation – for students enrolled from Aug 1999 to Feb 2002
The students, who were enrolled till the Spring Session of 2002 (enrolled in Feb 2002), are governed by the old regulation under which they are considered to have passed in a paper, if they scored 40% aggregate (80 out of 200) in the Internal Assessment and the University examination.
Project Examination: This applies to all the students. A student should secure at least 35% out of 100 marks in the continuous evaluation and 35% out of 100 marks in the term end examination to pass. The aggregate total should be 40% (80 out of 200) and above.
• New Regulation - for students enrolled from Aug 2002 onwards.
* (FOR JAN 2003 EXAMINAION ONLY.)
Refer to page No. 7 of prospectus August 2002 wherein it is mentioned, “A student should secure at least 50% marks in the continuous evaluation and 40% marks in the term end examination to pass.” After due consideration, it has been decided that the minimum percentage for the continuous evaluation will also be 40%. Hence, the above provision has been reconstituted as under- “A student should secure at least 40% marks in the continuous evaluation (24 out of 60) and 40% marks in the term end examination (56 out of 140) to pass.” The aggregate total should be 40% (80 out of 200) and above.
Present Regulation: “A student should secure at least 35% marks in the continuous evaluation (21 out of 60) and 35% marks in the term end examination (49 out of 140) to pass.” The aggregate total should be 40 % (80 out of 200) and above.
Project Examination: This applies to all the students. A student should secure at least 35% out of 100 marks in the continuous evaluation and 35% out of 100 marks in the term end examination to pass. The aggregate total should be 40% (80 out of 200) and above.
10. What is meant by Internal Assessment (IA) Marks?
The students are given assignments and are also expected to attend practical classes which need to be completed and submitted to the Learning Centre as part of the Internal Assessment. The faculty at centre will evaluate these assignments, practical logs and assign marks based on the performance to each individual student.
11. Who does the evaluation for Internal Assessment?
The faculty at learning centre does the evaluation for Internal Assessment.
12. Who evaluates our university examinations papers?
Sikkim Manipal University evaluates the examination papers.
13. When will the results be declared?
Results will be declared within 6 weeks after the examination.
14. What are the consequences of skipping examinations?
The student is required to clear all the papers of the course within the prescribed time as mentioned in the prospectus/ admission documents. The time available to a student to clear the course is twice the normal duration.
Example:
• For a student who joins the 1st semester of MCA, the minimum duration required to complete the course is 3 years. The maximum time available to complete the course is 6 years.
• For student who takes Lateral Entry admission to the 3rd semester of MCA, the minimum duration required to complete the course is 2 years. The maximum time available to complete the course is 4 years.
Case: “A student who has registered for a semester in the Fall Session (August) 2006 will not be able to appear for the examination scheduled for that session i.e. Jan 07. Instead, he/ she can appear for the exam in July 07”. As per the regulations a student is required to appear for the examination at the end of the session. For instance, a student registered for the 6th semester of MCA in Fall Session (August) 2006 is required to appear for the examination in January 07. However, if he/ she is not able to appear for the scheduled examination, he/ she may appear for the subsequent examination by filling the Re-sitting application. He/ She will be required to pay the Re-sitting examination fee as per the rules prevalent.
15. The number of chances a student gets to clear the subject?
The structure of SMU programmes is versatile and provides ample opportunity to students to complete the course without loss of semesters due to backlog papers. Unlike other vertical programmes, Re-registration to the higher semester is not linked to clearance of the previous semesters. The structure also provides ample chance to the student to clear the backlog papers. A student gets two consecutive chances to clear a paper except in case of Lateral Entry. As far as Lateral Entry is concerned, please note that the provision itself is applicable assuming the student has the domain knowledge of the subject by virtue of his qualification. Hence, the system expects the student to clear the Lateral Entry paper in the first sitting. The grouping of the subject permits a student to appear in the backlog papers in every alternative semester.
For instance, a backlog paper of 1st semester can be taken with the 2nd Semester and 4th Semester can be taken along with the 6th semester. Hence, he gets four chances to clear the subject. In case of Lateral Entry cases, three chances are available. In every backlog paper, a student gets a minimum of two consecutive chances. The scheme of the University doesn't provide supplementary examination in view of above reasons.
16. Why are the old question papers not provided by the University?
Providing question papers has a great disadvantage because it curbs the multi dimensional approach of the learner to the subjects. It is very important to let the learner have a wholesome approach to the subject wherein the learner grasps the subject by understanding the subject rather than by cramming the same by rote. Students are expected to adopt a learning-centric approach to their studies and are advised not to follow ‘guide' patterns of answering. The strength of our evaluation process and the course is in generating the habit of self-analysis and comprehension by the students. Based on the learning materials and associated subject materials, you are advised to formulate number of questions in the pattern as per the sample questions and increase your notes. This is why our examinations are Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) based and is the reason we do not provide question papers.
What you need to do is: -
• While studying a subject, a student should visualise questions based on the MCQ pattern. A Sample MCQ is available in the programme guide. This process will facilitate the understanding of the subjects in question/ answer form
• A student should train himself/ herself to answer the questions only when he/ she has acquired sufficient knowledge relevant to the topic. The strength of the MCQ system is that it covers almost all aspects of the subjects and enables an assessment of the knowledge of the student on a wholesome basis rather than a selective basis. Moreover, because of negative marking system it does not leave scope for chance-taking while answering
• The students are advised to develop the technique to attend MCQ pattern of the questions.
Following points are pertinent:-
i. Attend only those questions in which they know the correct answers.
ii. Never take a chance in answering questions when they do not know the same.
iii. Remember that 25% marks are deducted for every wrong answer.
iv. If a question is left unattended, a student will lose marks only for that question.
17. When will we receive the marks card?
Once the results are announced, a centre-wise result sheet is sent to the Learning Centres. Within one month, the individual marks card will also be dispatched to the Centre for distribution to the students.
18. What is the procedure for Re-valuation of MCQ answer script?
There is no provision for Re-valuation essentially because the valuation is done by scanning the answer sheet at least twice. The answer sheet is marked by the student by darkening the appropriate circle to indicate the answer for a question. The scanning process which evaluates the student is 100% error free. However, it is appropriate to mention that the analysis of the answers show the following as the main reason for student's failure/ scoring less marks.
• Wrong answers get 1/4th negative marking. The reason for low marks in most failure cases is due to this. For instance, a student gets 40 marks for correct answers but he will lose 10 marks for wrong answers to questions worth 40 marks. This results in deduction of 10 marks from the 40 marks he scores. In this case, a student fails primarily because of attempting the questions where he does not know the answers. It is therefore very important to be judicious while answering the MCQ papers. Students are advised to answer only those questions, where they are sure of the answer.
• In some cases students make mistakes while darkening the appropriate columns; for instance, while marking an answer for question No.3, answer has been wrongly darkened against the field for question No.4. This happens when due care is not taken to verify the appropriate column for answering.
• In some cases, the students mark more than one answer by darkening the additional circles. The scanning is programmed to disregard these answers and hence loss of marks.
• The students are also advised to write the data in the answer sheet correctly such as Reg. No, Test Booklet No, Subject code, and Centre Code. The instructions given in the MCQ answer sheet for these must be strictly complied with. Please note that no communication regarding Re-valuation, etc will be entertained in view of the facts explained above.
EduNxt
1. What is my EduNxt username and password?
EduNxt login Username and default Password is available under the EduNxt icon in student login at www.smude.edu.in
Alternatively, you can also use your University Roll No. both as Username as well as Password
2. I have forgotten my password.
Please click on the ‘Forgot Password' link on the login page. Your date of birth will be validated for password reset
3. Any other query related to EduNxt.
Please send your queries to helpdesk@smude.edu.in. Kindly mention the following details:
Roll No.:
Programme & Semester:
Query:
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