Gujarat is one of the most developed states with rich cultural and entrepreneur heritage. With its progressive out look and its social reformation it has provided leadership not to India but also to entire humanity. It is one of the first state to implement the new pattern of education and three-language formula. It has a well organized network of institutions and organizations including a large number of NGOs working in the field of education and development. These traditions inspired the establishment of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU) in the State in the year 1994.

The development and acceptance of "Distance Education" both in the developed and developing countries is growing fast. The reason behind such an acceptance is its flexible approach and user friendly technique of education that can provide a viable alternative for everyone who needs to pursue education further to expand his horizons of knowledge, to sharpen his existing knowledge, to upgrade his knowledge, skill and training and thereby, making learning a fulfilling experience.

Gujarat has realized importance of Distance and Open learning in higher education. Out of the 7 statutory Universities, 3 Universities have been running external degree courses for years. Of late, DTE (Directorate of Technical Education) has been offering distance learning diploma courses in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. Some NGOs are also operating in this field at one level or other. Thus, the culture of open distance learning exists in the state which augurs well for the BAOU. The BAOU therefore, has a fertile soil to plough and disseminate open learning through regional language at larger scale.

ESTABLISHMENT

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University was established as per the ordinance No. 5/1994 of Gujarat Government published in extra ordinary gazette on 13th April, 1994. Afterwards this ordinance was given the form of an Act which is known as Act No. 14 of 1994 passed by Gujarat State legislature.