# Open University of Sri Lanka

> university in Sri Lanka

**Wikidata**: [Q3537680](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3537680)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_University_of_Sri_Lanka)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/open-university-of-sri-lanka

## Summary
The Open University of Sri Lanka is a public university established in 1978, offering distance education and open learning opportunities to students across Sri Lanka. It is recognized as a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education, making it part of a global network of institutions focused on flexible and accessible education.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1978
- Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education
- Offers distance education and open learning programs
- Has a presence on social media, including Twitter (@ouaclk) and Facebook (theousl)
- Operates under the domain ou.ac.lk
- Recognized by the Library of Congress (authority ID: no2003106017)
- Has a Shibboleth-based authentication system for institutional services
- Part of the Open Funder Registry with ID 501100011606

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Open University of Sri Lanka?
A: The Open University of Sri Lanka is a public university that provides distance education and open learning programs. It was established in 1978 and is located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

### Q: How can I contact the Open University of Sri Lanka?
A: You can visit their official website at [https://www.ou.ac.lk/](https://www.ou.ac.lk/) or follow them on social media, including Twitter (@ouaclk) and Facebook (theousl).

### Q: What kind of programs does the Open University of Sri Lanka offer?
A: The university offers a variety of distance education and open learning programs, though specific details about the programs are not provided in the source material.

### Q: Is the Open University of Sri Lanka part of any international organizations?
A: Yes, the university is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education, which is a global network of institutions focused on flexible and accessible education.

### Q: How can I authenticate my access to the Open University of Sri Lanka's services?
A: The university uses a Shibboleth-based authentication system, which can be accessed via [https://ims.ou.ac.lk/idp/shibboleth](https://ims.ou.ac.lk/idp/shibboleth).

## Why It Matters
The Open University of Sri Lanka plays a crucial role in providing accessible education to students across Sri Lanka, particularly those who may not have the opportunity to attend traditional universities. By offering distance education and open learning programs, the university democratizes access to higher education, allowing individuals to pursue academic goals without the constraints of physical attendance. Its membership in the International Council for Open and Distance Education underscores its commitment to global standards in open and distance education, ensuring that its programs are recognized and respected internationally. This institution not only supports the educational needs of its local community but also contributes to the broader field of distance education by sharing best practices and innovations with other institutions worldwide.

## Notable For
- Being a founding member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education
- Offering a Shibboleth-based authentication system for institutional services
- Having a significant presence on social media, including Twitter and Facebook
- Being recognized by the Library of Congress and part of the Open Funder Registry
- Providing distance education and open learning programs to students across Sri Lanka

## Body
### Overview
The Open University of Sri Lanka is a public university established in 1978, dedicated to providing distance education and open learning opportunities. It is located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and operates under the domain ou.ac.lk.

### Membership and Recognition
The university is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education, which is a global network of institutions focused on flexible and accessible education. It is also recognized by the Library of Congress (authority ID: no2003106017) and part of the Open Funder Registry with ID 501100011606.

### Social Media Presence
The Open University of Sri Lanka has a presence on social media, including Twitter (@ouaclk) and Facebook (theousl). It has a significant following, with 1,246 social media followers as of January 2, 2021.

### Authentication System
The university uses a Shibboleth-based authentication system for institutional services, which can be accessed via [https://ims.ou.ac.lk/idp/shibboleth](https://ims.ou.ac.lk/idp/shibboleth).

### Programs and Services
The university offers a variety of distance education and open learning programs, though specific details about the programs are not provided in the source material. It also provides access to its services through its official website and social media platforms.

### International Recognition
The Open University of Sri Lanka is recognized internationally, with identifiers such as ISNI (0000000103495393), VIAF (154670267), and ROR ID (011rrqf91). It has a presence in multiple languages on Wikipedia, including English, Esperanto, Persian, Sinhala, and Tamil.

## References

1. Open ISNI for Organizations
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407191925/https://www.icde.org/members-community/)
4. Google Knowledge Graph
5. [Source](http://www.ou.ac.lk/)
6. GRID Release 2016-05-31
7. Quora
8. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
9. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin)
10. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph