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IGNOU OPEN LETTER | DECEMBER 15, 20092

IGNOU not only bears her name, but is alsoan embodiment of her beliefs. As we enterthe 25th year of spreading the light of

Open and Distance Education all over theworld, we also celebrate Smt. Gandhi’s spiritand vision in education.IGNOU today is the largest Open

University in the world. We have striven tostay true to our mission and have set newstandards in democratising higher educationby taking it to the learners’ doorsteps.The University has provided seamless

access to learner-centric quality education, skills upgrade, trainingand capacity-building across the country and abroad by making use of innovative technologies in distance education, open learning andonline teaching-learning methodologies.We have also ensured convergence of the existing systems of

teaching-learning to build the massive human resources required for promoting integrated national development and global understanding. With the availability of EduSat, IGNOU is poised to take giant

steps in extending ICT, Web and satellite-based education across theglobe, and pursue flexible and blended learning. Our effort has been to provide need-based academic programmes

by giving a professional and vocational orientation to courses. It hasbeen our endeavour to provide better learner-support services to thedeprived, particularly in inaccessible regions.In the years to come, IGNOU looks forward to working on the Right

to Education, strengthening its study centres and consolidating itsexisting programmes.The IGNOU system can be an effective model for education

communities all over the world. For a developing country like India,the Open and Distance Learning system has to play a complementaryskill-development role to the conventional system of education. Although the primary aim of the Open and Distance Learning

system is to improve the Gross Enrollment Ratio, this cannot happenin isolation. The quality of teaching-learning processes needs to be improved. Technology-enabled distance education has not only helped us to

improve the quality of distance education in classrooms but also enhance the reach of education.By recognising and acknowledging the nature of our clientele and

their needs, we have to adapt to the nature and mode of delivery of education. Active participation in the National Skills Mission, throughthe newly introduced Community Colleges Scheme, would be a key priority in the coming years. As an Open University, IGNOU occupies a significant position

globally. Based on the edifice of dedicated and empoweringknowledge-dissemination, we envision the growth and expansion ofthe University into a dynamic, vibrant and inclusive system — whichembraces all sections of the society, especially the unreached. We look forward to many productive and enriching years ahead,

with a focus on both Access and Success in Learning.

Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai

FROMthe vice chancellor

6

CONTENTS

‘Seek the Tech Edge’

A Second Life

25th YEAR: Leveragingthe power of ODL throughinnovative use of technology is critical to take quality education to the unreached and createlivelihoods, says UnionHRD Minister Kapil Sibal.

EVENT OF THE YEAR ....03

SILVER START..............04

FOCUS ON GER ............08

NEWS UPDATE .............12

REGIONAL ROUNDUP ...15

ON CAMPUS ................16

10 IN FOCUS: Gyan Deep, a partnership between IGNOU and the Indian Army, is designed for training and awarding degrees to soldiers and providing them a career option after their retirement.

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“The real purpose of education is to enlarge intellectual horizons,emotional responsibilities and aesthetic sensibilities.”

— Smt. Indira Gandhi

IIGNOU has entered its 25th year. A youngUniversity’s own tryst with its destiny. A milestone to cherish and a moment to introspect and chart the future. Indeed the

moment to usher in the year-long Silver JubileeCelebrations. Appropriately, it was marked byceremony. The University’s campus in NewDelhi was bedecked, anticipation adding to thebuzz in the air. The campus was festooned withflowers and banners. Faculty and studentswere dressed for the occasion — a mélange ofcolour and youthful exuberance. All this to welcome visitors from near and far — learners,teachers and thinkers... The Visitor also came— the President of India,Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, to take stock and provide guidance.n

IGNOU OPEN LETTER | DECEMBER 15, 2009 3

EVENTof the year

IGNOU’s tryst with destiny


25thYEAR

A Silver StartPresident of India Smt Pratibha

Devisingh Patil called upon theOpen Distance Learning (ODL)system in India to be the torch-

bearer of a knowledge revolution in India. Launching the Silver Jubilee celebra-

tions of IGNOU on November 19, thebirth anniversary of former Prime Minis-ter Indira Gandhi, the President said that the primary challenge facing India lay inenhancing the skill-sets of its workforceto ensure that they could earn a living.

“Only 5 percent of the workforce inIndia has some kind of certification. Thisis in contrast to over 85 percent in developed countries. Encouragement of work-integrated learning followed by examination, certification and accredita-tion through distance education was critical,” the President said.

Noting that opportunities in an increas-

ingly flattening world were for the prepared, Smt Patil said, “Proper training,provisioning of skill-sets and capacity-building of our population are tools whichwould make our human resources compe-tent and confident to face the new set ofchallenges of a fast-changing world.”

The President exhorted open universi-ties, like IGNOU, which is also thelargest distance education provider inthe world with over 2.5 million students,to generate “a movement in rural areasthat will impel people to acquire knowl-edge and skill”.

In this context, President Patil under-scored the important role that IGNOU’sregional centres could play. “IGNOU has15 per cent of all learners enrolled inhigher education in this country and offers a wide range of programmes andcourses through its vast network of

Launching IGNOU’sSilver Jubilee Celebrations, thePresident of Indiacalled upon the ODL system to be at the forefront of ushering in aknowledge revolution by reaching value-added education to the masses

President Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil addressing the function marking the launch of IGNOU’s Silver Jubilee year.

learning centres across the country. Its Regional Centres can play a very impor-tant role in reducing disparities in educa-tion by extending education opportunitiesto villages and remote areas.”

Urging the education sector to makefull use of IT, the President said that creation of high-quality human resourceswould place India in the elite list of front-ranking nations of the world.

Noting that the Gross Enrollment Ratio(GER) in India in higher education wasvery low, as compared to the world aver-age, Smt Patil exhorted those leading the education system in India to make “stren-uous efforts” to attain the goal of enhanc-ing GER in India to 20 percent by 2020.

Technology had to be harnessed in asignificant way to ensure that the chal-

lenge of access could be overcome totake higher education to the unreached.“The National Mission on Education,launched in February this year, will createInternet connectivity for about 20,000colleges and educational institutions. Thisinitiative will, I am confident, bring in theuse of modern technology in higher educa-tion in a more widespread manner,” thePresident predicted.

It was important that higher education was made accessible towomen, one of the marginalised sectionsof our society. “By spreading educationamong women, not only is an individualeducated, but also the seeds of progressfor the next generation are planted,” sheobserved.

ODL is an enabling tool providing opportunities for the Indian workforce toupgrade and enhance their skills, leading

to higher productivity and better avenuesfor livelihood. In that context, the President said that she was “very happy”to dedicate Gyan Deep — a partnershipbetween IGNOU and the Indian Army — tothe nation. “Through this new collabora-tion they (army personnel) will get appro-priate certification. This can be helpful intheir current work and in starting a newprofessional life post their career in theArmy,” she observed.

Launching IGNOU’s FlexiLearn initia-tive, the President commended the innovation and said, “It will provide an opportunity for prospective learners tosample a course before enrolling in one,thereby helping them to choose appropri-ate courses and programmes.”

She announced the institution ofIGNOU’s Rajiv Gandhi International Prizefor Education and Technology Develop-ment. The Prize would be given to an individual, or an institution, who has madesignificant contributions to educationaltechnology in the developing world. ThePrize will consist of a citation and a prizemoney of Rs 5 lakh.

The President also paid tribute to theLate Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “It isher deep commitment to development ofthe country and to the upliftment of thepoor that one recalls as her hallmarks.She viewed education as a liberatingforce, which, while enabling individuals toearn a living, would also make them capa-ble citizens. She, therefore, wanted thateducation should reach all people in thecountry,” President Patil said.

Recalling the important contributionthat IGNOU has made to ODL in India, thePresident congratulated the men andwomen behind the University’s rapidgrowth and called upon them “to play an ever-growing role in the mission of education.”n


New InitiativeslThe President announced the institution of

the Rajiv Gandhi International Prize for Tech-

nology and Development by IGNOU. The Prize

would be given to an individual, or an institu-

tion, who has made significant contribution

to education technology in the developing

world.

lThe President dedicated Gyan Deep to the

nation. Gyan Deep is a partnership between

IGNOU and the Indian Army which seeks to

impart, and certify, higher education to serv-

ing army personnel, enabling them to start

an alternate career post their retirement.

lThe President also launched IGNOU’s

FlexiLearn scheme which will provide an

opportunity for prospective learners to

sample a course before enrolling for one;

helping them to choose the most relevant

and appropriate course and programme.

“IGNOU has 15 per centof all learners enrolled inhigher education in this

country and offers a wide range of

programmes and coursesthrough its vast network

of learning centresacross the country”

A section of the audience, comprising students and academicians, listening to

President Patil’s address at the event in New Delhi on November 19.


25thYEAR

Paying tribute to IGNOU forbeing the harbinger of OpenDistance Learning (ODL) inIndia, Union Human Resources

Development Minister Kapil Sibal saidthat leveraging the power of the ODLsystem through the innovative use oftechnology was “critical”.Speaking at the function to launch

IGNOU’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations,the minister commended the Univer-sity for not only laying the foundation

of ODL in India, but also for “servingthe educational aspirations of overtwo million students, especially fromthe disadvantaged and under-servedpopulation”.“IGNOU’s contributions towards

national development and creating aglobal knowledge-based society is significant,” he said.The minister emphasised that all

available technologies would have tobe harnessed to provide innovative

solutions to increase and deepen access to distance education. “The cellphone can also be used

both for dissemination as well as receipt of information, which helpslearning with mobility. The use of airwaves, WiFi and new forms of tech-nology... will help and diversify theprocess of distance learning,” he said. Sibal said that the optimum use of

technologies would not only broadenthe frontiers of knowledge, but also

In his address at thelaunch of IGNOU’sSilver Jubilee Celebrations, Union HRD MinisterKapil Sibal saidleveraging the powerof ODL through innovative use oftechnology was critical to takingquality education to the unreached and creating opportunities forlivelihood

‘Seek the Tech Edge’

factoidfactoid In 2009, IGNOU enrolled over 74,000 learners from among

SCs and STs — the largest number of disadvantaged to

ever get enrolled in a single educational institution in a year

“ensure that the 220 million childrenwho go to school and the 160 millionwho are out of school (in India) have access to those ever-widening horizons”.Though the access to higher edu-

cation was important, it was not thesole objective. “Expansion, inclusionand excellence are the three neces-sary pillars to impart quality educa-tion,” the minister said.Noting that by 2020 the average

age of India would be 29 years, hesaid that ODL was a crucial tool inaddressing the educational needs ofthese vast numbers.“We should be able to provide

proactive and quality education forour young which may not be possibleif we limit ourselves to formal peda-

gogical methodology,” he said.The minister added that there

was an urgent need to “invest intechnologies and develop methodsthat would enable access to complexeducation resources”.“In the absence of adequate

teachers, interactive teaching is essential,” he said. If India was to achieve “over 90 per cent liter-acy”, from the current 64 per cent,then there was “a need to investi-gate, innovate and look for newersolutions”, the minister observed.Asserting that the ODL system

had to look beyond mere certifica-tion, to enabling livelihood, Sibalsaid, “The linkage between learningand livelihood can be best providedthrough distance education”.n


“Access to higher education is an important, butnot the sole, objective. Expansion, inclusion andexcellence are the three necessary pillars

to impart quality education”

Calling for strengthening

the Open and Distance

Learning system,

Smt D. Purandeswari, Union

Minister of State for Human

Resources Development

(HRD), emphasised the

need for aligning higher ed-

ucation to the needs of the

society. She also lauded

IGNOU's role in making

higher education acceesible to all segments of society.

She was speaking on the ocassion of the launch of the

Unioversity's Silver Jubilee Year on

November 19. Excerpts follow:

l IGNOU has emerged as one of the largest universi-

ties in the world in terms of student enrolment,

field of operations and diversity of its courses and

programmes. The University uses the latest

technologies to impart knowledge and help

achieve the objective of providing access to educa-

tion for all.

l The Open University system should identify the

knowledge and skills required for improving the

quality of life of the citizen and provide thse by

using innovative and flexible means of delivery.

l The courses and programmes of the open universi-

ties should cater to the disadvantaged groups, such

as those living in remote and rural areas. This in-

clude working people, housewives and other adults

who wish to acquire or upgrade knowledge.

l An open university should also provide education

and training in various arts, crafts and skills

indigenous to different parts of the country.

l Enhancing the number of certified workers in the

country is the real challenge today. Of the total

workforce in the country, from construction workers

to high-level knowledge workers, only 5 per cent

possess any certification. This is in contrast to over

80 per cent in developed countries. Through

work-integrated learning, which uses the latest

knowledge base in relevant fields, the workforce

should be given opportunities for learning, exami-

nation and certification through the extension serv-

ices of the open university system. This is necessary

for ensuring vertical mobility and professional

growth.

l In view of the objectives enshrined in the National

Skills Mission, IGNOU should strive to not only max-

imise the employment potential but to bring the

large number of school and college drop-outs into

the fold of vocational education and training.

l With the historic Right to Education Bill introduced

by the UPA Government, training of primary school-

teachers in large numbers is going to be a major

challenge facing the education system. Appropriate

and contextualised use of information and commu-

nication technology like the New Media, Internet

and Satellite is the only way address this challenge

of scaling up.

l On the occasion of the beginning of the Silver

Jubilee Year, I congratulate the entire academic and

administrative staff of IGNOU, especially teachers

and students.

‘Align Education toSociety’s Needs’

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal

speaking at the launch of IGNOU’s

Silver Jubilee year in New Delhi

on November 19.


Blending the conventional highereducation system with the Openand Distance Learning (ODL)pedagogy was “critical” to en-

hancing the Gross Enrollment Ratio(GER) in higher education. A growingGER is, in turn, crucial in achieving in-clusive growth.This was the theme of the IGNOU

Foundation Day Lecture delivered by Dr Narendra Jadhav, eminent economistand member of the Planning Commis-sion, at the IGNOU campus on Novem-ber 19. Dr Jadhav was speaking on ‘Sustain-

ability, Innovation and Inclusion in the Education Sector’.While India had improved its GER

since Independence, it was also a factthat all was not well with the education

system. Teacher absenteeism in schoolsand colleges was rampant, quality of thedelivery of education was below par andthe drop-out rate in primary schools continues to worsen despite innovationsand incentives like the mid-day meal’scheme, he observed. “Convergence is the only way for-

ward, if we were to arrest and reversethis trend and take education to themasses,” he asserted. Dr Jadhav laid down four ingredients

that would help increase the GER: ac-cess, quality, affordability and employment. Noting that India ranked only third in

the world behind the US and China in providing access to education, helauded IGNOU’s contribution in helpingthe country attain this position, with a

‘Focus on GER’FOUNDATIONDAY LECTURE

Delivering the Foundation Day Lecture at IGNOU,Planning CommissionMember NarendraJadhav said the fusion of ODL and conventional learning systems was “critical” for increasing the GER in India

Dr Narendra Jadhav, Planning Commission Member, delivering

IGNOU’s Foundation Day Lecture on November 19. Others on

the dais are (from L to R) Pro-VC Prof Parvin Sinclair,

VC Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai and Registrar U.S. Tolia

IGNOU OPEN LETTER | NOVEMBER 15, 2009 9

15 per cent share in the overall educa-tion delivery in India. Dr Jadhav said that taking higher

education to the maximum number oflearners and tailoring a livelihood ori-ented curriculum should be among the highest priorities of the educationsystem. The skills taught should enablethe learner to boost employability, he added. Only 2 per cent of the rural workforce

in the country have undergone someform of formal training. “We are strivingto improve this situation to get the fig-ure of the formally trained in the work-force to about 18 per cent throughflexi-education and vocational training,”Dr Jadhav affirmed.He said that it was equally important

to ensure that education was inclusive.Hence, Dr Jadhav asserted that effortshave to be made to ensure that qualityeducation was easily accessible to mem-bers of the Scheduled Castes andScheduled Tribes, and Muslims — the traditionally-backward communities in education.In 2020, the average Indian will be

only 29 years old, compared with 37 in

China and the US, 45 in Western Europe and 48 in Japan. A population“bulge” in the working age groups, like in India, is seen as an advantage— a “demographic dividend”. However,Dr Jhadav cautioned, “if we do not upgrade our education system and rapidly improve our delivery and take education to the masses, we will not be able to leverage this dividend.”In the context of delivering quality

education, he expressed concern thatonly about one-third of India’s 417 universities has been able to reach thebenchmark prescribed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council(NAAC). He also lamented the fact thatonly 44 per cent of teachers in the country have an M.Phil or a Ph.D. In a relatively poor country like

India, where large numbers subsistbelow the poverty line, it was importantthat education should not only be of high quality, accessible and livelihood-oriented, but also affordable.This was important if we have to reachquality education to the last man, Dr Jadhav observed.n

diGviJay sinGh, m.P.

former chief minister of

madhya Pradesh digvijay

singh, m.P., inaugurated the

school of Journalism and

new media studies’

(soJnms) two-week

‘train the trainer’

programme on october 26.

singh emphasised sensitisa-

tion of media personnel to their social responsi-

bilities. he said that anything less than

reponsible reporting could disturb the social and

communal balance in a multi-religious and

multi-cultural society like india.

oscar fErnandEs, m.P.

saEEd naqvi, Journalist

former union minister for labour and Employ-

ment oscar fernandes, m.P., and eminent

Journalist saeed naqvi delivered the valedictory

addresses to the participants of ‘train the trainer’

programme of the school of Journalism and

new media studies on november 6.

while fernandes stressed the need to keep pace

with technological developments and creation of

opportunities for skill enhancement, naqvi high-

lighted the lack of hands-on training facilities for

media practitioners in india and hoped institu-

tions like iGnou would fill the void.

PASSINGBY

Gail omvEdt,ProfEssor

Gail omvedt, Professor,

ambedkar chair for

social change and devel-

opment at the university,

was felicitated by the

school of Gender and de-

velopment studies (sGds)

on november 27, for her pi-

oneering work among dalit

women. the america-born

scholar, sociologist and human rights activist, is

an indian citizen.

Judith irwin,

Educationaist

Judith irwin of the ameri-

can association of com-

munity colleges visited the

university campus on no-

vember 3. she shared the

american experience in set-

ting up community colleges

with the iGnou faculty.


Twenty-three-year old P.M. Babufrom Kozhikode in Kerala, a Naikwith the Engineering Branch of theIndian Army, is a proud soldier.

But till some time back, he was also ananxious soldier. Anxious about his futureafter he would retire fromthe Army. Typically, Indian Army

soldiers retire around 40,with a productive span ofnearly 15-20 years aheadof them. But Gyan Deep, a part-

nership between IGNOUand the Indian Army,seems to have laid his wor-ries to rest. Gyan Deep isan ambitious programmedesigned for training andawarding degrees to sol-diers during their serviceperiod — a step aimed atproviding the jawans with asecond career option aftertheir retirement. Under the scheme,

IGNOU will register the In-dian Army’s RegimentalTraining Centres, HumanResource DevelopmentCentres and Schools of In-structions as ‘CommunityColleges’, where soldiers

will be trained and imparted learning intheir chosen vocations. The project was dedicated to the na-

tion by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil,at the launch of IGNOU’s Silver JubileeCelebrations on November 19. Earlier,

IGNOU Vice Chancellor ProfV.N. Rajasekharan Pillaiand Chief of Staff of the In-dian Army General DeepakKapoor inked a Memoran-dum of Understanding(MoU) for Gyan Deep onSeptember 4 this year. Based on the U.S. sys-

tem of Community Collegesin defence cantonments,the scheme will benefit amajority of the 1.2 millionsoldiers in the Army. It willenable Army jawans to notonly earn a degree but alsomaster livelihood-drivencourses as well. They willbe awarded BA, BBA, BScand BCom degrees depend-ing on their area of study. For Army personnel like

Naik Babu it has been agodsend. “Not being a grad-uate, I used to worry a lotabout my life once outsidethe Army. But now becauseof this new scheme, I can

A Second Life

INFOCUSGyan Deep, apartnership between IGNOUand the IndianArmy, is designedto provide soldiers a careeroption after their retirement.

Mechanised troops of the Indian Army. Photo Right: Lieutenant General

Mukesh Sabharwal and IGNOU Vice Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai

exchange documents after signing the MoU on Gyan Deep in New Delhi in

the presence of Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor.

“About 50,000personnel retireevery year. After acquiring our

degrees, they willbe empowered tosecure a secondcareer. A vasthuman capitalwill be madeavailable for

nation-building.”—Dr Latha Pillai, Pro-VC

“Through this newcollaboration they(army personnel)will get appropriate certification. Thiscan be helpful intheir current workand in starting anew professional lifepost their career in the Army.”—President Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, while dedicating the ‘Gyan Deep’ programme to the nation.


earn a degree and look forward to a rea-sonably good career in the private sectoralso,” says Babu. “It will be a boon forthousands of Army personnel who will re-tire at a relatively young age,” he says. “Soldiers give 20 to 25 of their best

years to the Army and retire around 40.We need to make use of their training anddiscipline after their retirement. There isdemand for ex-servicemen in enterprises,industries and security services. A formaldegree from IGNOU will not only enhancetheir personality but will open up manymore jobs to them,” says General Kapoor. IGNOU Pro-Vice Chancellor and In-

charge of Gyan Deep, Prof Latha Pillai, af-firms, “We are very excited about thishistoric project. About 50,000 disciplined,hardworking, trained services personnelretire every year. After acquiring degreesthrough Community Colleges, they will beempowered to secure a second career ina chosen vocation. And a vast human cap-ital will be made available for inductioninto nation-building.”Calling the scheme a “major revolu-

tion”, Vice Chancellor Pillai says, “Their(soldiers) entry into the Community Col-lege system will not only increase theGross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of the coun-try in higher education, but will also en-hance the Gross Graduation Ratio (GGR).” “It is a win-win situation for all parties

involved. For IGNOU, it means a phenome-nal increase in the strength of studentsand the campuses. For the Army, it wouldbe a great welfare measure and gainfuluse of resources. And for all soldiers, thisprogramme has the potential to transformthe post-retirement life by equipping themwith a formal qualification and preparingthem for competitive job avenues,” the

Vice Chancellor observed. The Indian Army has a robust educa-

tional and training infrastructure, includ-ing 38 Regimental Training Centres, 55Human Resource Development Centres,11 Central Training Centres and other es-tablished Schools of Instruction. Thesecentres, under the MoU, are being regis-tered as Community Colleges.A soldier, who desires to enhance his

educational standards and qualifications,will take admission in a Community Col-lege in his training academy and will pur-sue the course according to his time andpace. After successful completion of twoyears, he will be awarded an AssociateDegree. To pursue higher education afteracquiring the Associate Degree, he will begiven lateral entry to the third year of athree-year degree course for a graduatedegree. The soldiers will need 96 creditsfor being awarded a graduate degree. A five-member Joint Consultative Com-

mittee (JCC) representing IGNOU and theIndian Army has been formed to formulate

a structured curriculum for the two-yearAssociate Degree as well as well-definedguidelines for in-service soldiers to en-hance their education and upgrade skills.The training modules for the Associate

Degree will be designed and provided bythe Army in collaboration with IGNOU,while the certification will be carried outby the University.The joint development of the training

modules for the degrees will be need-based and decided by the JCC, which willalso oversee the award of credits and re-lated matters. A liaison cell for the Armyhas been be set up at IGNOU campus. The first semester will be a certifica-

tion course consisting of basic militarytraining. This will earn a soldier 16 cred-its. For soldiers who have not completedClass XII, this will count as a bridgecourse. The second semester will impartadvanced military training to the soldiersand earn them 16 credits. During the thirdsemester, the soldiers will join applica-tion-oriented courses to earn 16 creditsand in the fourth semester, undergo com-pulsory internship and project work toearn 16 more credits. These 64 credits will be for work within

the Army. These will then be transferableto his credits when he earns a degreefrom IGNOU, where the soldier will earnthe remaining 32 credits. Soldiers willhave to complete their third year withIGNOU within five years of being grantedan associate degree.“If need be, IGNOU will also introduce

new subjects in the curriculum. The de-grees awarded to the soldiers on comple-tion of 96 credits will be similar to theone granted to other students,” ViceChancellor Pillai explained.n

“Gyan Deep will help mecomplete my graduationwhile in the Army and willenable me to embark on areasonably good careerafter my retirement. It is aboon for thousands of armypersonnel like me who will retire at a relativelyyoung age.”

—Naik P. M. Babu of the Indian Army

Credit for WorkArmy officers and jawans

will get 64 Credits for the

work they do in the first

4 semesters, before earning

academic credits for

a Graduate Degree.

Ist Semester: 16 Credits

2nd Semester: 16 Credits

3rd Semester: 16 Credits

4th Semester: 16 Credits

IGNOU Course: 32 Credits

Total Credits: 96 Credits

Marking the IGNOU Foundation Dayon November 19, the UnionHuman Resource Development

Minister Kapil Sibal inaugurated a state-of-the-art modular laboratory at the Univer-sity’s campus in New Delhi.Dr. Sunita Malhotra, Director of the

School of Sciences (SOS), said “The newamenity has the latest facilities for theUniversity’s post-graduate science students.”The laboratory, which can accommo-

date up to 40 students at a time, hasbeen conceptualised and designed by Kewaunee Labway India, she added.The lab is fitted with vacuum, gas and

electricity lines; and is designed to meetthe highest safety standards.n


NEWSupdate

President Smt Pratibha DevisinghPatil launched IGNOU’s new education platform ‘FlexiLearn’on November 19. ‘FlexiLearn’ is

an innovation by IGNOU that will enableprospective learners to sample a coursebefore enrolling for it. This will help themchoose the most relevant and appropriate course and programme.The ‘FlexiLearn’ portal provides free

access to IGNOU courses. It is designedas a personal learning space where freeresources are integrated with the learn-ing management system, whatever bethe learner’s educational qualificationsand needs. The Certification by IGNOU,

however, will be contingent on comple-tion of all learning activities and the pay-ment of the requisite fee.Any visitor to the ‘FlexiLearn’

website has an option to register for anyparticular course or a full-length academic programme. Once registered,there is also an option to combine coursecredits to obtain a diploma or degree ofhis or her choice. The platform provides a self-learning

environment, with a list of academic advisers and course guides as mentors.The platform will enable recourse to interactive tools like discussion boards,blogs, Wikis, podcasting and RSS feeds.

Each programme will have the optionfor both online and offline assessment,based on the learner’s choice. Thelearner will also be able to submit himself to exams “on demand”. Additionally, the registered learner will

have a complete track record of his online activities through his own e-portfolio. It will keep a record of allformal and informal studies carried outby the learner. The model provides a flex-ible framework for the University’sschools of studies to identify and com-bine different courses already available,and to offer new need-based programmesof study.n

Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal inaugurating the new modular chemistry Lab at

IGNOU’s School of Sciences (SOS). Also seen (from left) are Union Minister of State

for HRD D. Purandeswari; Director of SOS Prof. Sunita Malhotra; Raman Chair Prof

P.T. Manoharan; IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai; and SoS faculty

member Prof B.S. Saraswat.

Varsity gets modular chemistry lab

The President inaugurating IGNOU’s ‘FlexiLearn’ portal at the Silver Jubliee launch.

FlexiLearn: Learn it your wayAccessing ‘FlexiLearn’

l Visit http://www.ignouflexilearn.ac.in and register for free

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In another initiative to mark its Silver Jubilee year, the Universityhas launched a ‘Student Satisfaction Survey’ in order to im-prove its services and evolve more student-friendly study pro-

grammes. The survey attempts to elicit feedback from students on the

standard and quality of IGNOU’s learning material, academic coun-selling, communication, examinationprocedures and relevance of coursematerial. It also seeks to measure theoverall satisfaction levels of the stu-dents.In a message to the students of the

University, Vice Chancellor Prof V.N.Rajasekharan Pillai wrote, “As thelargest distance education institutionin the world, we have always tried toimpart skills for imbibing knowledge and competencies. It’s ourbelief that you, as former or present students, are the best per-sons to judge how far we have succeeded in our efforts.”“Your inputs shall guide us towards improving our services and

evolving more student-friendly study programmes,” Prof Pillai said.Students can send in their feedback by clicking on the link ‘Stu-dent Satisfaction Survey’ displayed prominently on the home pageof the IGNOU website.n

The United Nations Edu-cational, Scientific andCultural Organisation

(Unesco) has evinced keen in-terest in jointly certifying se-lect programmes beingoffered by IGNOU. Armoogum Parsuramen,

Director of Unesco’s SouthAsia office, said the UNagency would, to begin with,look at certifying IGNOU’smaster’s course in journalismand communication. Thecourse has been adapted byIGNOU from the model journal-ism curriculum formulated by

Unesco in 2008. Parsuramenwas speaking at a symposiumon ‘Media Education: Chal-lenges and Opportunities’ atthe IGNOU campus in NewDelhi on November 20. The symposium was organ-

ised by IGNOU’s School of

Journalism and New MediaStudies, as part of its SilverJubilee Celebrations.The Unesco Director said

his organisation was keen topartner with institutions likeIGNOU to widen the reach ofeducation, train teachers andupgrade course material.He offered Unesco’s assis-

tance in forging a wider part-nership between theUniversity and countries inAfrica to expand the reach ofthe varsity’s satellite-enabled,direct-to-home educationalprogrammes.n

factoid In 2009, IGNOU started its community college initiative,

launching 47 such colleges. The university has plans to

set up 500 more by 2011.

Unesco keen to jointly certify IGNOU courses

IGNOU’s School of Journalism

and New Media Studies (SO-

JNMS), in collaboration with the

DW-Akademie of Deutsche Welle,

Germany’s international broad-

caster, conducted a two-week ‘Train

the Trainer’ (ToT) programme at its

New Delhi campus on November 6.

Twenty participants from various

organisations — like the UN Devel-

opment Programme and Lal Ba-

hadur Shastri National Academy of

Administration — were among the

trainees, apart from journalists and

academicians.

‘Train theTrainer’

Student SatisfactionSurvey launched

Armoogum Parsuramen,

Unesco Director (S. Asia)

NEWSupdate

Two new Chairs have been instituted at IGNOU.

While eminent space scientist and Planning

Commission Member Dr K. Kasturirangan is the

new ISRO Chair for Satellite Communication Edu-

cation, Prof P. T. Manoharan is the first Raman

Chair for Mathematics and Science Education. Dr

Kasturirangan directed the Indian Space pro-

gramme for over nine years and retired as the

Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organ-

isation (ISRO). Dr Kasturirangan is a recipient of a number of awards

from the Government of India, including the Padma Vibhushan in

2000. He has also been a Rajya Sabha MP. In 2002, France honoured

him with its highest civilian award, 'Officer of the Légion d'honneur'.

In his long and distinguished career, Dr Kasturirangan has either

headed or has been associated with almost every institution of note re-

lated to science in India. He has been awarded with Honorary Causa by

16 Universities, including IGNOU.

Prof Manoharan is a distinguished professor of chemistry and has

held a bevy of prestigious positions in institutions related to science

and technology in India. He has been a recipient of

the Ramanna Fellowship, instituted by the Depart-

ment of Science and Technology. He was a hon-

orary professor at IIT Madras, before he accepted

the Raman Chair. At IGNOU, Prof Manoharan will

initiate, plan and coordinate academic activities, in-

cluding creation of study programmes, research

papers, books and multi-media material, for vari-

ous levels of learning.

Two new Chairs at IGNOU

Dr Kasturirangan

Prof Manoharan


The IGNOU library network system islaunching a slew of new initiativesin the coming weeks to mark the

University’s Silver Jubilee year.To begin with, IGNOU would co-host

the ‘International Conference on DigitalLibraries’, ‘ICDL-2010’, in collaborationwith The Energy and Research Institute(TERI), in New Delhi from February 23-26, 2010. The theme of the conferencewill be ‘Digital Libraries: Shaping the Information Paradigm’. IGNOU will kick off another initiative,

‘NODLINET,’ to strengthen the process ofsetting up an Open and Distance Learning(ODL) library. Under this initiative, the library network system will provide accredited standards and guidelines for establishing distance learning libraries at various Regional and StudyCentres.The central library network will guide

the Regional Centres and Study Centreson infrastructure, manpower and other requirements for establishing a distance digital library. Another move by the University’s library system is to create the

‘CERODL–E-Resources Consortium’. Under this initiative, the University

will tie up with other digital networkswhich subscribe to e-resources in variousdisciplines of study.Automation of digital libraries at the

Regional Centres will be stabilised and an agreement with the National Informat-ics Centre executed for automation of libraries. Some other planned initiativesinclude a web portal with access management and authentication besides the creation of a web-based delivery mechanism.n

IGNOU to upgrade library system

In a first-of-its-kind partner-ship in India, IGNOU hassigned an agreement withSwedish telecom giant

Ericsson to enable students toaccess its course materialusing 3G mobile telephony.The agreement was

initialled in New Delhi on October 9. Students of IGNOUcan now look forward to down-loading their course contentand get SMS alerts, throughtheir mobiles.“IGNOU is open to using the

latest technologies that areavailable to reach the maxi-mum number of students. Wewill specifically target ruralstudents who cannot alwayshave a one-to-one meetingwith teachers,” Vice Chancel-lor Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai said. “Each student may have to

shell out an additional Rs 25

over and above what they arepaying now. We will also re-quest the government to giveconcessions to those who can-not afford it. The cost perhead will gradually come downas more and more students access the service,” Prof Pillai added.Prof K.R. Srivathsan, Pro-

Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, saidthe 3G initiative will also helpconnect students in remoteareas. “With this, studentscan access the web pages ofthe courses, download filesand assignments, and alsowatch video clips.”“A certificate course in IT,

covering 5,000 students, willbe the pilot project using 3Gservices. Based on its success, we will then chartout other courses and con-tent,” Prof Srivasthan added.Gowton Achaibar, president

of Ericsson India, said that hiscompany “will build a 3G envi-ronment for students to down-load course content. We willalso provide other tools likeSMS alerts etc”.IGNOU is talking to other

telecom operators like thestate-run Mahanagar Tele-phone Nigam Ltd. and BharatSanchar Nigam Ltd., who havealready rolled out 3G services,to enable more and more stu-dents to access this facility.n

Now, get IGNOU content on 3G phonesNEWSupdate

Ericsson India Chief Gowton Achaibar in conversation with

Prof K. R. Srivathsan, Pro-VC, IGNOU.

IGNOU held its first-ever Sanskrit seminar to

mark the formal launch of its online certifi-

cate programme in the ancient language, at

its New Delhi campus recently.

The certificate programme is offered

jointly by Chinmaya International Foundation

(CIF) and the University’s School of Interdisci-

plinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS).

K.N. Shrivastava, Director-General, Archae-

ological Survey of India, and Acharya Bhadant

Gayan Jagat, were the Chief Guests at the

function. Several distinguished Sanskrit schol-

ars participated in the seminar.

Dr Vandita Arora of Indraprastha College,

Delhi University, delivered a lecture on ‘Veda

and Vedanta’. Dr Didhiti Chakraborti, Head,

Department of Sanskrit, spoke on ‘The

concept of education as reflected in ancient

Sanskrit texts’.

In his inaugural speech, IGNOU Vice Chan-

cellor, Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai said, “We

plan to launch several advanced programmes

in Indology and Vedanta, as well as certificate

programmes in other Indian languages.”

Shrivastava, in his address, said that ‘San-

skriti’ and Sanskrit were inter-linked. Without

understanding Sanskrit, it would be difficult

to understand Indian culture and Ayurveda.

Students at IGNOU library in New Delhi.

First Sanskrit seminar


To improve educational facilities in Bihar,

and launch market-driven vocational

courses for its youth, IGNOU is setting up

400 training centres in the state. The centres

will also train government officials.

The IGNOU training centres “will be

equipped with computer labs to provide dis-

tance education through information technol-

ogy to the remotest parts of the state”, said

an official of the University.

In addition, “it is estimated that during the

year 2009-10, over 25,000 government offi-

cials will also be trained.”

“These programmes will not only enable

them to become competitively skilled, on a par

with the workforce of other states, but also help

Bihar to significantly improve its position in the

Human Development Index,” the official said.

The state government has already signed an

agreement for implementation of the state

sponsored project ‘Samarth’ in collaboration

with IGNOU. The Varsity has been selected as

the ‘knowledge partner’ for the state.

IGNOU to set up 400 centres in Bihar

The IGNOU Institute for VocationalEducation and Training (IIVET), Shillong, in collaboration with theNorth-East Girls’ Students Associa-

tion (NEGSA) and North Eastern Develop-ment Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFL),organised a Multi-Skill and Leadership Programme in Guwahati. The programme, from September 10 to

30, was specifically designed for youngwomen from families affected by Naxal vi-olence. Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi inaugurated the event, which was at-tended by 70 participants. They weregiven intensive training in yoga and medi-tation, art of public speaking, communica-tion skills, self-defence, law, RTI Act,entrepreneurship, leadership, time man-agement, interview skills, disaster man-agement and first-aid.n

Recognising that a substantial number of its over 2 million stu-dents belong to the North-East,

IGNOU is set to launch diploma and cer-tificate programmes in agriculture, spe-cially designed for the region.This was announced by Pro-Vice

Chancellor Prof Om Prakash Mishra while addressing the North-East India NationalSeminar in New Delhi on October 30. The Seminar was titled ‘Strengthening

Development Processes in North-EastIndia: Identifying Scope and Challenges inDevelopment and Governance’.Prof Mishra said it was the first

seminar IGNOU’s North-East Centre for Research and Development (NECRD) wasorganising in collaboration with the North

East Development Foundation (NEDF). The day-long discussions focused

on strengthening the developmentprocesses in the North-East. U.K.

Sangma, Secretary, North Eastern Council, was the chief guest. IGNOU’s programmes in the pipeline

for the North-East are PG diplomas in foodsafety and quality management, planta-tion management; diploma programmes in value-added products from fruits and vegetables; dairy and meat technology;value-added products from cereals, pulsesand oilseeds; fish product technologies;and watershed management. Additionally, certificate programmes

in organic farming, sericulture, water harvesting, beekeeping and poultry farming are also being planned. The University is also planning to

offer a PG certificate programme in agriculture policy.n

Plans on for new courses in North-East

Pro-VC Prof Om Prakash Mishra.

REGIONALroundup

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and VC Prof

Pillai sign an MoU for ‘Samarth’ project.

At left is Dy CM Sushil Kumar Modi.

Training for Naxal-hit women

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi

(above) inaugurating the Multi-Skill

and Leadership Programme in

Guwahati. Participants at the

programme (below).

Anational level five-day workshop foracademicians on

‘Research in Distance andOnline Learning’ was heldat IGNOU’s New Delhi cam-pus recently.

The workshop was organised by Staff Trainingand Research Institute ofDistance Education(STRIDE). The workshopwas coordinated by Prof Santosh Panda, arenowned expert in distance education.

The workshop focusedon building the capacity of teachers in open univer-sities, and dual mode institutions in India, to undertake quality research. The workshopwas a part of the activities organised to celebrate the Silver Jubilee Year of the University. The workshop saw the participants producing original, empirical research proposals in a relatively short period.

The workshop discussed techniques of

developing research proposals qualitatively(using anthropological community-based informa-tion) and quantitatively(data-based, statistically-experimented information)in the field of distance andonline learning (DOL).

The workshop alsoworked on (a) Pre-mentoringsupport, such as facilita-tion, literature support, personal guidance and critical analysis; (b) Post-workshop mentoring suchas critical review of draftproposals; and (c) develop-ment of final proposals.

“Research should bemade a habit in one’s educational activities, without it one cannot

achieve quality,” Prof Parvin Sinclair, Pro-Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, observed.

Earlier, inaugurating the workshop, ViceChancellor Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillaisaid, “It is important to dispel the currentmisperception that doctoral research isnot possible in distance mode.”


MILESTONESONCAmpus

HIGHLIGHTS

First Convocation

1989: IGNOU was established by an Act of

Parliament in 1985 to introduce and pro-

mote Open and Distance Learning (ODL) at

the university level. The University was also

mandated to coordinate, determine and

maintain standards in ODL systems across

the country. IGNOU held its first Convocation

in 1989. More than 1,000 graduate learners

were awarded degrees and diplomas

at the event. The then Prime Minister Late

Shri Rajiv Gandhi was the Chief Guest

at the ceremony.

New VC takes charge

May 1990: Prof. V.C. Kulandaiswamy takes

over as the second Vice Chancellor of IGNOU.

First international training programme is held.

May 1990: IGNOU conducts its first joint

COL-IGNOU training programme for learners

from India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

IGNOU goes on air

January 1991: All India Radio relays IGNOU’s

courses from Mumbai and, Hyderabad.

May 1991: Doordarshan beams IGNOU’s

educational audio-visual programmes.

UGC upgrades IGNOU’s awards

February 1992: IGNOU’s degrees, diplomas

and certificates were decreed by the Univer-

sity Grants Commission (UGC) as equivalent

to those of other universities in the country.

The journey begins

TUESDAYDecember 1509:30: UGC/CEC: Developmental Biology16:00: IGNOU-SOCIS:BIT/ADIT-67VE: StaffManagement18:30: INIOS-Sec.(Hindi)1. Self Employment2. Animal Husbandry21:30: IGNOU:Gateway to Japan Part — 1 & 222:00: IGNOU/Culture: Music of Life

THURSDAYDecember 1708:30: IGNOU-SOE:Organic Reaction Clinical Mechanism (A Romaticity And Reactivity of AromaticCompounds)11:30: North EastKaleidoscope/WomenEmpowerment: Music of Life21:30: IGNOU:The Social Work Response to HIV in the U.S.

SUNDAYDecember 2008:30: IGNOU-SOE:Biological EvolutionAnd Speciation11:00: UGC/CEC: Video Lecture Series:Political Communica-tion in IndiaTUESDAYDecember 2208:30: IGNOU-SOCE(PGDJMC): InsectsPests/Management 21:30: IGNOU:Crop Protection

FRIDAYDecember 2508:30: IGNOU-SOS: PHE-13: Introduction to Crystal Structure 20:00: UGC/CEC: Hermeneutics and Deconstruction — IV,Understanding Human Design

MONDAYDecember 2806:O0: IGNOU:In Focus09:30: UGC/CEC: Colours of Minerals09:30: IGNOU-Urdu Programme: Khwateenaur Unke Masaail/1980ke Baad ki Urdu Ghazal

THURSDAYDecember 3108:30: IGNOU-SOCE:Development of Scheduled Castes 11:30: North East Kaleidoscope/WomenEmpowerment16:30: Techniques of Artificial Intelligence

[Not to be

MissedWatch a special programme

on ‘Archaeological Treasures of Assam’ (Part-1) on Thursday (December 31). There are currently more than40 discovered ancient archaeo-logical sites across Assam, with numerous sculptural and architectural remains.

]

STRIDE’s distance learning workshop

Pro-Vice Chancellor

Prof Parvin Sinclair.

n

Download - Open Letter December 2010

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