Mysuru: Maintaining that Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is one of the premier Universities offering Distance Education to thousands of students, former Minister S.A. Ramdas has asserted that he would not allow closure of the University for any reason.

Addressing a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan here yesterday, Ramdas said that the KSOU must not give up and should make fresh efforts for getting renewal of UGC recognition.

Stating that the KSOU should understand the plight of students who have got admitted to it since 2013, Ramdas said he  had written a letter to the University authorities in 2012 itself warning against setting up study centres outside its jurisdiction. But his letter was ignored by the then University authorities who continued to make admission in violation of set norms, he said.

Hitting out at the Government for forming a Committee on winding up of the Open University, Ramdas said that he would not allow the Committee members to visit the KSOU campus.

Ramdas also said that he has convened a meeting of KSOU aggrieved and affected students at the KSOU campus at 12 noon on Oct. 8 to deliberate on future course of action.

Corporator B.V. Manjunath and a couple of KSOU students were present at the press meet.