Distance Learning @ KVASU

Livestock sector plays a key role in sustainable rural development and has acquired the status of one of the important livelihood options in the country. Short gestation period, easily marketable commodities, chances of quick returns, better productivity, high nutritive value of the products, etc are some of the advantages of livestock sector. Recent statistics revealed that of the total income, livestock sector contributes more than 34 % of the income from Agriculture. It forms more than 9 percent of the total GDP of the country. More than 80 percent of the workforces in livestock sector in the country are women.

Kerala, which occupies only 1.13 Percent Geographic area of the country, has enormous potential in livestock development. Taking in to account the growing importance of livestock sector, Government of Kerala has established Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to give more emphasis to education, research and extension in the areas of veterinary and animal sciences.

Objectives

• To create awareness on profitable livestock farming practices among farmers, unemployed youths, women and students.
• To promote livestock based SHGs.
• To motivate unemployed youths to start livestock based enterprises in the state.
• Create awareness on animal welfare and food safety.
• To promote food security and to maintain livelihood security in the state.

Technologies used in distance education are divided into two groups: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous technology is a mode of online delivery where all participants are "present" at the same time requiring a timetable to be organized. Web Conferencing is an example of synchronous technology.
Asynchronous technology is a mode of online delivery where participants access course materials on their own schedule. Students are not required to be together at the same time. Message board forums, e-mail and recorded video are examples of asynchronous technology.

Synchronous technologies

• Web-based VoIP
• Telephone
• Videoconferencing
• Web conferencing
• Direct-broadcast satellite
• Internet radio
• Live streaming
• FM radio

Asynchronous technologies

• Audiocassette
• E-mail
• Message board forums
• Print materials
• Voice Mail/fax
• Videocassette/DVD

Full fledged media production unit - with studio, recording and telecasting facilities.