EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Jan 28: Since 1985, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has come a long way by contributing significantly to the development of higher education in the country through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode. As per spokespersons, "IGNOU caters to learners from rural and tribal areas, disability groups, jails and rehabilitation centres, governmental and non-governmental organizations, parents and home makers, employed and employers." "The university provides a multi nodal learning system through print, audio, video, radio, television, videoconferencing, interactive radio counseling, internet based learning, face-to-face interactive, counseling and practical's. The university, at present, offers plethora of programmes to cumulative student strength of over 2.8 million students" he said. Spokesperson further said, "There are various programmes offered by the university including doctorate, master's, bachelor's degree programmes, post-graduate and under-graduate diplomas and certificates. The education is disseminated in conventional, as well as emerging inter-disciplinary areas, such as consumer protection, disaster management, environment, human rights, tourism, women empowerment and child development, participatory forest management, participatory planning, resettlement and rehabilitation, teacher education, food and nutrition, continuing medical and health education, HIV/AIDS, laboratory techniques and online learning. Sustainability science is another genre where the university has ventured into." |
