Madurai Kamaraj University-Distance Education is one of the most important educational innovations of the 20th Century. It has established itself as a viable supplement and complement to the conventional system of education. Correspondence education provides a second chance to those learners who are handicapped in their pursuit of formal higher education with a motto to reach the unreached. It is a real boon to those who want to improve their qualifications while pursuing a career and to those who cannot go out to learn, leaving their homes. Utilising the well-knit postal and radio systems in the country, distance education delivers knowledge at the doorsteps of the learners. Incredibly, the mountain has started moving to Mohammed. Directorate of Distance Education of the Madurai Kamaraj University has been a pioneer in the field of distance education in the country. The year 1971 was a landmark in the history of Madurai Kamaraj University. In that year the institute of Correspondence Course and Continuing Education was started with strength of 1054 students. Ever since its inception, the institute has made big strides in its onward march towards imparting education through correspondence. Presently the student strength exceeds 1,31,000. Almost three decades have passed by since the Directorate of Distance Education had started functioning. The institute has shown that it is durable stable and an educational landmark in this part of the country. The Institute of Correspondence Course and continuing Education was rechristened as Directorate of Distance Education in 1996. As a pioneer institution in the distance education in India, the Directorate of Distance Education follows a unique approach to provide education quite different from the conventional formal system with two special features. The first is the using of the print medium in the preparation of course materials. The second is the personal contact programme where the learner meets experienced academics in the classroom. This caters to the needs of those who require classroom instruction and gives them a chance to have counseling from the teachers concerned. The contact programmes are held mostly during week-ends and holidays to enable learners in different walk of life to attend the programmes. A special feature feature of the Directorate of Distance Education is the team of qualified full-time academics to conduct the courses. Course-materials are prepared by the faculty as well as outside experts in the respective fields. The faculty monitors these. Based on these materials, contact seminar sessions are conducted to proved sufficient input to the students. The faculty is well trained in the content and methodology required for condensed teaching in various subjects. To serve the learners better, three information centers and six information- cum- Admission Centers are functioning in Tamil Nadu. Forty three study centers have been established outside Tamil Nadu to cater to the needs of students of other states in India. Directorate of Distance Education has extended the benefits of distance education programmes to overseas students in the Arabian Gulf countries like Dubai, Abudhabi, and Kuwati and in Sri Lanka. Establishment of a grievance cell on 11 February , 2002 manned by as many as 11 persons is a significant landmark in the attempt to tone up students support services. Informal inquiries reveal that the effective functioning of the grievance cell is heartening to the visitors and student of DDE. Steps to distribute certificate of candidates at respective Information/Study centers, periodical feedback survey to bring to light loopholes in any in the student support services, preparation of annual calendar prescribing important dates from the beginning of admission to date of issue of Mark Statements, computerisation of administrative process are among the important measures introduced in quick succession by the present Vice-Chancellor Prof. P.K. Ponnusamy, to improve the functioning of The Directorate of Distance Education. Under his able dynamic and forthright leadership, the DDE is confident of achieving may more milestones to uphold the image of the University by providing better service to the distance learners.