The Uttarakhand Open University has introduced several job-oriented courses for the 2026-27 academic session to promote tourism and create local employment opportunities. Among the key additions is a one-year Diploma in Homestay Management, designed to prepare skilled professionals for Uttarakhand’s rapidly expanding homestay sector.
Admissions for the new academic session have already begun. Students from Rishikesh and nearby areas can apply through the university’s study centre at the PLMS Campus of Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand University. The Homestay Management Diploma (Homestay Assistant Manager) aims to equip students with practical knowledge in hospitality, tourist management, customer service, marketing, and homestay operations, creating new self-employment opportunities, particularly in the hill districts.
In another major initiative, the university has launched one-year diploma programmes in Garhwali, Kumaoni, and Nepali languages. The courses are intended to preserve Uttarakhand’s linguistic heritage while opening avenues for language-based employment, research, and cultural studies.
Currently, Uttarakhand Open University offers 35 postgraduate programmes, 15 undergraduate programmes, 16 one-year diploma courses, and 29 certificate programmes. More than 80,000 students are enrolled across the state, including over 16,000 in the Dehradun region.
The university operates study centres in 22 colleges across the Dehradun region. This academic session also marks the introduction of admission opportunities for Nepali students, enabling greater access to higher education for learners from border areas.
Assistant Regional Director Govind Singh Rawat said the admission process began on July 1, and the newly introduced Homestay Management Diploma has been launched to strengthen tourism-linked skill development and promote self-employment in the state.
