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Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
The University Introduction
The Indira Gandhi National Open University,established by an Act of Parliament in 1985, has emerged as the largest mega University in the democratic world. It began by offering two academic programmes in 1987 i.e. Diploma in Management and Diploma in Distance Education with a strength of 4528 students. Today, it serves the educational aspirations of nearly 1.8 million students in India and 32 other countries through the twenty-one Schools of Study and a network of 58 regional centres, more than 1804 study centres/tele-learning centres and around 46 overseas centres. The University offers 138 Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Doctoral programmes comprising around 1300 courses, with a strength of 362 faculty members and academic staff at the Headquarters and Regional Centres and about 26,000 counsellors from conventional institutions of higher learning, professionals from various organisations, among others. The mandate of the University is:
- to provide access to higher education to all segments of society;
- to offer high quality, innovative and need-based programmes at different levels, to all those who require them;
- to reach out to the disadvantaged by offering programmes in all parts of the country at afford- able costs; and
- to promote, coordinate and regulate the standards of education offered through open and distance learning in the country.
To achieve the objectives of widening access to all sections of society and to provide continual professional development and training in all sectors of the economy,the University, uses a variety of media and latest technology in imparting education. IGNOU has reformulated its vision keeping its objectives in focus. Today the Vision reads:
Indira Gandhi National Open University, the National Resource Centre for Open and Distance
Learning with international recognition and presence, shall provide seamless access to
sustainable and learner-centric quality education, skill upgradation and training to all by using
innovative technologies and methodologies and ensuring convergence of existing systems for
massive human resource required for promoting integrated national development and global
understanding. The University has, in a relatively short time, contributed significantly to higher education, community education and continual professional development. As a world leader in distance education, it was conferred the Centre of Excellence Award in Distance Education in 1993 and the Award of Excellence for Distance Education Materials in 1999 by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada. The University is committed to quality in teaching, research, training and extension activities, and acts as a national resource centre for expertise and infrastruc-ture in the ODL system. The University has established a Centre for Extension Education, National
Centre for Differently Abled and National Centre for Innovation in Distance Education, to focus on specific learner groups and enrich the distance learning system. The Distance Education Council of the University helps in regulating and maintaining the ODL system in the country. With the launch of EduSat (a satellite dedicated only to education) on 20th September, 2004, and the establishment of the Inter-University Consortium, the University has ushered in a new era of technology-enabled education in the country. Today, there are 134 two-way videoconferencing
centres; all Regional Centres, and high enrolment Study Centres have been connected, and it
has become possible to transact interactive digital content. Emphasis is now being laid on developing interactive multimedia and online learning, and adding value to the traditional distance education delivery mode with modern technology-enabled education within the framework of blended learning. The University is associated with global academic activities and developments through various channels. It encourages and funds the participation of its faculty & staff in international conferences and seminars. There are regular visits of scholars, for delivering lectures or to interact with faculty, from institutions of higher learning from various countries. The University:
- Organises regular international conferences/seminars
- Allows faculty to go as visiting faculty or avail short term/long term assignments in foreign universities and institutions of repute
- The University has given copy right or permission to many institutions to adapt/adopt/use our learning materials
- Offers our academic programmes in around 32 countries through partnership arrangements.
IGNOU has certain unique features:
- National and international reach
- Flexible entry qualifications
- Wide range of academic programmes at affordable costs
- Diverse learner groups
- Modular programmes based on a credit system
- Rigorous course development mechanism to ensure quality
- Multi-lingual and multiple media instructional packages
- Flexibility in terms of place, pace and duration of study
- Use of latest information and communication technologies for blended learning
- An effective and integrated student support services network
- Resource sharing, collaboration and networking with state open universities and distance education/correspondence course institutions
- Joint course offering with a number of formal institutions of higher learning
- Collaboration with faculty and professionals in formal institution of higher learning and industry for the design, development and delivery of courses.
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