Uttarakhand Open University was established by an Act of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly on 31st October 2005 (Act no.23 of 2005), as the newly formed Uttarakhand State’s first and only Open University.

It was setup with a view to democratize education, so as to cover large segments of population, vocations and professions. The primary emphasis is on innovation, flexibility and cost effectiveness. It aims at the dissemination of learning and acquiring knowledge through distance education mode including the use of communication technology to provide opportunities for higher education.

The University is recognized by the Distance Education Council, the regulatory apex body of ODL in India
from which we received grants for imparting education through Distance Education.

• Cater to the educational needs of the target groups through the open systems of learning.
• Create skilled and knowledge based human resource for speedy upliftment and development of the State in particular.
• Provide easy access to education to different sections of society, especially to those with seemingly geographical isolation and difficulty.
• Promote national integration and integrated development of human personality.
• Impart knowledge for awareness and skill development.
• Promote research orientation in the present scenario of technology and development and
• Disseminate knowledge through an innovative multi-media teaching-learning system. 
• Promote dissemination of learning and knowledge through distance education systems including the use of any communication technology to provide opportunities for higher education to a large segment of the population and shall in organizing its activities.