23 November,2009 07:07 AM IST | | MiD DAY Correspondent
IGNOU is celebrating its SIlver Jubilee in style. Here's why it has all the reason to
India's largest learning hub, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), just celebrated its 25th birthday. The university, that is serving the dream of Late prime minister Indira Gandhi, and that of many aspiring learners who've been unable to access higher education, has come a long way since its inception.
Inaugurating the occasion, President Pratibha Patil said that while broad-basing access to education is important, one must not lose sight of the utmost importance which should be paid to the quality of education being imparted to students, and the need for equity.
"This should start from the primary level itself. The government has therefore been emphasising, and is committed to providing good quality education to all students, especially those from the underprivileged sections. Education among women is also very important. Byu00a0 teaching them, not only is an individual educated, but rather, the seeds of progress of the next generation are planted," she said.
Addressing the gathering, the President stressed on the importance of imparting education through technology. "IGNOU's national mission on education through Information Communication Technology, launched in February this year, will create internet connectivity to about 20,000 colleges and educational institutions. This initiative will, I am confident, bring in the use of modern technology in higher education in a more widespread manner."
Sample studies
On the occasion, Patil also launched the Flexi Learning scheme, which provides an opportunity for prospective learners to sample a course before enrolling, so that they can choose appropriate courses and programmes. From this year onwards, IGNOU has introduced some other initiatives, too.
One such initiative is the Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Technology in Education and Development. The Prize would be given to an individual or an institution that has made significant contributions to educational technology for development in the developing world.
Stressing on the need of enhancing the skill sets of the workforce in the country, Patil said, "Only five per cent of the workforce in India has some kind of certification. This is in contrast to over 85 per cent in the developed countries. Encouragement of work-integrated learning followed by examination, certification and accreditation through distance education will be of help. However, to make it effective, there would be a need for active two-way collaboration with industry and other players. I believe that Open Universities should also generate a movement in the rural areas that will impel people to acquire knowledge and skills for self-empowerment."
The event was presided by minister for human resource development Kapil Sibal. Calling IGNOU the pioneer of open and distance education, Sibal said, "Absence of adequate number of quality faculty is a major concern, but this problem can be solved to a large extent through distance learning and interactive learning."
Various events and exhibitions, workshops, career fairs, national and international seminars will be organised across India during the year-long silver jubilee celebration.
IGNOU was established on November 19, 1985, with just 4,000 students. Today, it is the largest university in terms of enrolment (2.5 million) and study centres (2,243). The university has its presence in 34 countries and offers 3,500 courses.
