Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today (Malcolm X). Education breeds confidence, Confidence breeds hope, Hope breeds Peace. UNESCO has recognised Education as a Human right and a force for sustainable development and peace. Every goal in SDE 2030 agenda requires education to empower people with knowledge, skills and values to live in dignity, build their lives and contribute to their societies.
Not everyone fits into the formal education setup and the Open and Distance and Online Learning(ODL & OL) provides another way for students to meet the diverse and often unique needs. ODL & OL can be a lifeline to those who face obstacles, such as geographical distances or physical disabilities, etc. A lot of people believe that with the focus on technology, ODL & OL will replace teachers in the classroom. Universities won’t survive; the future is outside the traditional campus, outside the traditional classroom. ODL & OL is coming on fast. The comfort, flexibility and effortlessness offered by ODL & OL really attracts students from every nook and corner of the world, especially those students who desire to manage their professional life, family and other commitments and at the same time want to complete their higher education to excel in carrier. The distance between learner and teacher has never been closer than it is now. Moreover, the present age wants more skilled individuals to lead to more development and hence, encourages and promotes an environment of multi-talented professionals.
ODL and OL mode in India has emerged as an important mode for providing education to diverse section of society. When we talk about Open distance and Online Learning Universities in India, the first name that comes to our mind is Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
IGNOU since its inception in 1985 has emerged as the world’s largest University, in terms of enrolment. In the past 36 years, since its establishment IGNOU has contributed significantly in democratizing higher education in India by taking it to the doorsteps of learners thereby creating opportunities for lifelong learning. As per the mandate of the University it adopts a learner centric, flexible, and cost effective approach for imparting quality education, with a focus on equity, access and quality. IGNOU has been awarded A++ ranking by NAAC. IGNOU has been providing education to all through the extensive network of 56 RCs and around 2100+ LSCs. It has a significant International presence with 23 Overseas Study Centres spread in 15 countries. IGNOU believes in providing education to all and has been extending its outreach to learners in jail, rural/remote areas, PwD, defense personnel, SC/ST learners & transgender population. Realising the need of the hour, IGNOU is moving forward with innovative and cost-effective measures to strengthen the learning process by introducing online initiatives in various learning and teaching activities. 37 new online programmes have been launched in the July 2022 admission cycle. In line with the UGC’s CBCS, IGNOU is offering BA (Honors), B.Com (Honors) and B.Sc (Honors) programs. As part of the implementation of the policy of using ICT countrywide for educational purposes, IGNOU coordinates four channels of SWAYAM PRABHA. IGNOU is also the National Coordinator for Design and Delivery of MOOCs courses for Certificate and Diploma level under the SWAYAM portal of GoI. In the SWAYAM portal, IGNOU is at present offering 151 MOOCs. It is providing student support with its learner centric, low cost and technology-based teaching-learning support system. Offers digital content on the IGNOU e-content app, facilities for tele-education through GyanDarshan channels, and has a good repository of digital learning resources on e-Gyankosh. IGNOU has always been proactive in implementing Policies of GoI through a number of activities such as sanitation drives, plantation drives, health and hygiene related programs, and Yoga based physical and mental health programs.
IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar has been established on 1998 in University of Kashmir Campus with 4 programs with 1000 learners and now has more than 180 programmes to offer with the enrolment of more than 50 thousand learners. The number of LSCs/PSCs/SSC has increased to 45. The number of Academic Counsellors empanelled has grown to 1800 who are working with the LSCs/PSCs spread across the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region.
IGNOU family at Regional Centre Srinagar which includes the staff at RC Srinagar, part-time staff at LSCs/PSCs is dedicated for providing all support services to the Learners of IGNOU. In order to address the complaints/issues of the learners, GrievanceRedressal has become a regular feature at the RC Srinagar and LSCs/PSCs. Different online/offline sessions are being conducting for the guidance/information of the Learners regarding preparation of synopsis, dissertation, projects and internship. Several MOU’s have been signed with the medical institutions for facilitating the internship of the Learners. LSCs/PSCs are now playing a proactive role and are complying with the newly framed guidelines issued by the RC Srinagar regarding assignments, dissertation/project work, student support services, etc, for the benefit of the Learners. Many new proposals to extend IGNOUs reach to newer areas like, Uri, Gurez, Drass, Kargil, Leh, etc, for the benefit of defensepersonnel; ST population etc. is being taken. With the issue of the notices by the UGC and IGNOU regarding Dual degree and equivalence of ODL/OL with the degrees obtained through conventional mode, the RC Srinagar is making new efforts to provide benefits of these initiatives to the community. RC Srinagar is on a mission to reach to everyone and has now starting conducting a fortnight session on every first and third Friday of every month to reach to its learners, examinees and the people in general to provide/address all the information/issues/grievances of anyone connected with or looking forward to IGNOU for seeking education. RC Srinagar has also started a fortnight session on every first and third Monday of every month for the part time staff of LSCs/PSCs andthe counsellors.
Any IGNOU Learner, IGNOU family member and the general public can connect to us through these communication channels and take advantage of the unique educational setup of The Peoples University.
With Best Wishes.
Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmad Dar
Regional Director
