Role of Open and Distance Education in Competence Building and Sustainable Development Yadav Saroj Department of Education, C.S.J.M.University, Kanpur. Email: sarojbobby@indiatimes.com Abstract Distance education is a system where teacher and students are separated by physical distance and where they use technology like print, voice, data and video to convey the learning material through postal services, couriers, internet, and CDs etc. Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system comes into existence where a student cannot go to the traditional institution due to distance, resource limitation, time constraint, physical disability, age etc. In the present era of globalization, there is much need of sustainable development and competence building process. Competence building considers the aspects such as the strengthening the identity and foundation of emotional stability and self esteem. Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The role of ODL in sustainable development and competence building is mainly to develop human capital and encourage technical progress, as well as fostering the cultural conditions favoring social and economic change. This is the key to creative and effective utilization of human potential and all forms of capital ensuring rapid and more equitable growth. Top Keywords Competence Building, Sustainable Development, Open and Distance Education, Environmental sustainability, Inclusive Education. Top |