The front gate of the university
The Indira Gandhi National Open University, (Hindi: इन्दिरा गांधी राष्ट्रीय मुक्त विश्वविद्यालय) (known as IGNOU) is a national university with its headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi, India. Named after former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, the university was established in 1985 with a budget of INR 2000 crore, when the Parliament of India passed the Indira Gandhi National Open University Act, 1985 (IGNOU Act 1985) [2].
IGNOU, one of the largest universities in the world [3]; was founded to impart education by means of distance and open education, provide higher education opportunities particularly to the disadvantaged segments of society, to encourage, coordinate and set standards for distance and open education in India and strengthen the human resources of India through education [4]. Apart from teaching and research, extension and training form the mainstay of its academic activities. It also acts as a national resource centre, and serves to promote and maintain standards of distance education in India. IGNOU hosts the Secretariats of the SAARC Consortium on Open and Distance Learning (SACODiL) and the Global Mega Universities Network (GMUNET) initially supported by UNESCO.
[edit] History
In 1970 (International Education Year), the Ministry of Education and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the UGC and the Indian National Commission for cooperation with UNESCO, organised a seminar on `Open University'. The seminar recommended the establishment of an open university in India on an experimental basis. The Government of India appointed eight member working group on Open University in 1974. The leading role was given to G. Parthasarathi, the then Vice-Chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The working group had recommended establishing an Open University by an act of parliament as early as possible. The university should have jurisdiction over the entire country so that, when it is fully developed, any student even in the remotest corner of the country can have access to its instruction and degrees (Working Group Report, 1974).
The working group suggested several measures to be followed in instructional and management processes of the open university which include: admission procedure, age relaxation, preparation of reading materials, setting up of core group scholars in different fields, setting up of study centres, vehicle of curricular programmes, live contact with teachers, and so on. On the basis of the recommendations of the working group, the Union Government prepared a draft bill for the establishment of a National Open University, but due to some reasons the progress was delayed.
In 1985 the Union Government made a policy statement for establishment of a national open university. A Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Education to chalk out the plan of action of the national Open University. On the basis of the report of the Committee, the Union Government introduced a Bill in the Parliament. In August 1985, both the Houses of the Parliament passed the Bill. Subsequently, the National Open University came into existence on September 20, 1985. It was named after late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (established by the Act of Parliament) is responsible for introducing and promoting distance education at the university level, and for coordinating, determining and maintaining standards in such systems functioning in the country.
In 1989, the first Convocation was held and more than 1,000 students graduated and were awarded their diplomas. IGNOU audio-video courses were first broadcasted by radio and television in 1990 and IGNOU awarded degrees received full recognition by the University Grants Commission in 1992 as being equivalent to those of other universities in the country [5].
In 1999, IGNOU launched the first virtual campus in India [6], beginning with the delivery of Computer and Information Sciences courses via the Internet.
[edit] Prominent Features of IGNOU
IGNOU has the following prominent features:
- National jurisdiction
- Relaxed admission rules
- Flexibility in terms of place, pace and duration of study
- Flexibility in choosing the combination of courses
- Student support services
- Use of specially prepared course materials
- Use of latest communication technologies
- Cost effective programmes
- Modular programmes
- Reformed mode of evaluation
- Two term-end examinations in a year
- Resource sharing, collaboration and networking with other open universities/distance learning institutions
- Training and research in distance education.
[edit] Schools
IGNOU currently serves approximately 2 million students in India and 35 countries abroad in twenty one schools and a network of 59 regional centres, 7 sub-regional centres, 2300 study centres, and 52 overseas centres. Approximately 10% of all students enrolled in higher education in India are enrolled with IGNOU [7]. IGNOU offers 175 academic programs comprising 1100 courses at certificate, diploma and degree levels. In addition, a number of non-accredited extension and skill-oriented programmes are on offer through the twenty-one Schools:
| SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| School of Humanities | Prof. Renu Bhardwaj |
| School of Social Sciences | Prof. Uma Kanjilal |
| School of Sciences | Prof. Sunita Malhotra |
| School of Education | Prof. M.L.Koul |
| School of Continuing Education | Prof. M. Aslam |
| School of Engineering & Technology | Prof. Prof. Ajit Kumar |
| School of Management Studies | Dr. G.Subbayamma |
| School of Health Sciences | Prof. (Mrs) Bimla Kapoor |
| School of Computer & Information Sciences | Prof. Manohar Lal |
| School of Agriculture | Prof. M.K. Salooja |
| School of Law | Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao |
| School of Journalism and New Media Studies | Prof. Shambhu Nath Singh |
| School of Gender & Development Studies | Prof. Savita Singh |
| School of Tourism Hospitality Service Sectoral Management | -NA- |
| School of Interdisciplinary & Trans-disciplinary Studies | -NA- |
| School of Social Work | Prof. Gracious Thomas |
| School of Vocational Education and Training | -NA- |
| School of Extension & Development Studies | Prof. B.K. Pattanaik |
| School of Foreign Languages | Dr. Sushant K. Mishra |
| School of Translation Studies and Training | Dr Deoshankar Navin |
| School of Performing & Visual Arts | Dr. Sunil Kumar |
[edit] Programmes
| Ph. D | Master's Degree | Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) |
| Computer Science | Master in Computer Applications (MCA) | Master of Philosophy Computer Science |
| Education | Master in Education MA(EDU) |
| Economics | Master in Economics (MEC) | Master of Philosophy Economics |
| History | Master in History (MAH) |
| Tourism Studies | Master in Tourism Management (MTM) |
| Library & Information Science | Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) |
| Public Administration | Master in Public Administration (MPA) |
| Sociology | Master in Sociology (MSO) |
| Political Science | Master in Political Science (MPS) |
| Mathematics | Master of Science (Mathematics with Applications in Computer) |
| Physics | Master in Tourism Management (MTM) |
| Hindi | Master in Hindi (MHD) |
| English | Master in English (MEG) |
| Management | Master of Business Administration (HRD/ Finance/Operations/Marketing) (MBA) |
| Commerce | Master of Commerce (MCOM);(In Finance and Taxation) (MCOM F&T) |
| Women's Studies |
| Rural Development | Master of Business Administration (Banking & Finance) (MBF) |
| Social Work | Master in Social Work |
| Child Development | Master in Public Policy(MPP) |
| Nursing | |
| Gender and Development Studies | Master of Commerce in Business Policy and Corporate Goverence - M.Com (BP & CG) |
| Food and Nurtrition | Master's of Science Degree in Dietetics and Food Service Management {MSc. (DFSM)} |
| Distance Education | Master of Arts in Distance Education (MADE) |
| Sri Aurobindo Studies | Master of Arts in Sri Aurobindo Studies | Master of Philosophy Sri Aurobindo Studies |
| Agriculture Extension | |
| Mass Communication. | |
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[edit] Divisions
The Indira Gandhi National Open University has the following Eleven Divisions to take care of various activities.
| DIVISION | HEAD |
| Academic and Coordination Division | N V Narashimham |
| Administrative Division | Udai Singh Tolia |
| Construction and Maintenance | Sudheer Reddy |
| Computer Division | V S V Srivasthav |
| International Division | Silima Nanda |
| Finance and Accounts Division | Cherian Thomas |
| Library and Documentation Division | Sudhir K. Arora |
| Material Production and Distribution | Dr. R. R. Rausaria |
| Planning and Development Division | Kalpna Mishra |
| Regional Services Division | Masood Parveez |
| Student Registration and Evaluation | Srikant Mohapatra (Evaluation)
K. Laxman (Registration) |
[edit] Institutes, cells, centers, and consortia
| INSTITUTE | DIRECTOR |
| Advance Centre for Informatics and Innovative Learning | K Subramanian |
| Distance Education Council | |
| Electronic Media Production Center | K Ravi Kanth |
| National Centre for Innovations in Distance Education | M Aslam |
| Inter-University Consortium For Technology-Enabled Flexible Education & Development | Madhu Parhar |
| Centre for Extension Education | M Chandrasekharan Nair |
| Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education | P R Ramanujam |
| National Council for Disablity Studies | Hemlata |
[edit] Accreditation & Recognition
IGNOU is granted the authority to confer degrees by Clause 5(1)(iii) of the IGNOU Act 1985. IGNOU is also recognised as a Central University by the University Grants Commission of India [8]. The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognises IGNOU conferred degrees as on par with the degrees conferred by its members [9][10] and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recognises the Master of Computer Applications and Master of Business Administration program of IGNOU [11].
In 1993, IGNOU was designated by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) as its first Centre of Excellence for Distance Education empowered "to actively participate in Commonwealth co-operative endeavours to identify, nurture, and strengthen open learning institutions throughout the Commonwealth, particularly in the Third World .." [12].
IGNOU also operates as an accreditor for open university and distance education systems in India through the Distance Education Council (DEC). Authority to do so is granted under Clause 16 and Statute 28 of the IGNOU Act 1985 [13].
[edit] Convocations in the Past
| Convocation | Held On | Chief Guest | Designation | Honoris causa Awarded | Number of Degrees/ Diplomas/ Certificates/ Awarded |
| Ist | 21.02.1989 | Sh. Rajiv Gandhi | Prime Minister | Dr. Shridath S. Ramphal, Secretary General, COL | 1171 |
| IInd | 27.04.1991 | Dr. S. D. Sharma | Vice President | | 3807 |
| IIIrd | 25.04.1992 | Sh. Arjun Singh | Minister for Human Resource Development | | 4907 |
| IVth | 05.05.1993 | Sh. R. Venkataraman | Former President of India | Prof. G. Ram Reddy, Former VC of IGNOU | 4444 |
| Vth | 16.04.1994 | Prof. James A Maraj | President of COL | Prof. James A Maraj, President of COL | 7580 |
| VIth | 06.05.1995 | Sh. Madhav Rao Scindia | Ministry for Human Resource Development | | 9246 |
| VIIth | 11.05.1996 | Justice R.N. Mishra | Chairman, National Human Rights Commission | | 12301 |
| VIIIth | 08.03.1997 | Prof. Madhu Dandavate | Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission | | 16149 |
| IXth | 07.03.1998 | Sh. Krishna Kanth | Vice President | | 25080 |
| Xth | 14.03.1999 | Dr. Karan Singh | Member of Parliament | Ms. Mahasweta Devi, Eminent Writer & Social Worker | 33119 |
| XIth | 04.03.2000 | Sh. K. C. Pant | Deputy Chairman Planning Commission | Prof. V. C. Kulandaiswamy, Former VC of IGNOU | 53328 |
| XIIth | 03.03.2001 | Prof. M. G. K. Menon | Eminent Scientist | | 62369 |
| XIIIth | 21.03.2002 | Prof. Murali Manohar Joshi | Minister for Human Resource Development | | 78074 |
| XIVth | 22.02.2003 | Sir John Daniel | Assistant Director General, UNESCO and Former VC of UKOU | - Sir John Daniel
- Dr. K. Kasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO
| 81931 |
| XVth | 21.02.2004 | Dr. K. Kasturirangan | Former Chairman, ISRO and Former Secretary Department of Space, Government of India, Member of Rajya Sabha | - Field Marshal S. H. F. J. Manekshaw
- H. H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa
| 74603 |
| XVIth | 05.03.2005 | His Excellency, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam | President of India | - Kamal Idris, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organisation(WIPO), Geneva
- Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, ISRO
| 71298 |
| XVIIth | 18.02.2006 | Dr. Anil Kakodkar | Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India | - Sh. N.R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman, Infosys
| 75174 |
| XVIIIth | 17.03.2007 | Hon'ble Justice K. G. Balakrishnan | Chief Justice of India | - Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, Renowned Agricultural Scientist
| 111699 |
| XIXth | 16.02.2008 | Dr. Hamid Ansari | Hon'ble Vice- President, Republic of India | - Prof. C. N. R. Rao
- Dr. Anil Kakodkar
- Prof. M.S.Valiathan
- Pandit Shiv Kumar
- Prof. Rahman Rahi
- Prof. Indira Goswami
| 101346 |
| XXth | 28.02.2009 | Prof. R Natarajan | Former Chairman AICTE
Former Director IIT Madras | | |
[edit] eGyanKosh
The website eGyanKosh shares digital learning resources developed by open and distance learning institutions in the India. Items in eGyanKosh are protected by copyright and registration is free.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [1][2]
- ^ Dept of Education, India: The Indira Gandhi National Open University Act, 1985 (Act No. 50 of 1985) (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ World Intellectual Property Organization: Indian University Honors WIPO Director General (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ IGNOU Website: Objectives (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ IGNOU Website: Milestones (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ Newsbytes: IGNOU Launches First Virtual University in India, July 6, 1999 (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ IGNOU Website: IGNOU - A Brief Profile (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ UGC Website: Universities Directory - Indira Gandhi National Open University (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ UGC: UGC Circular No. F1-52/2000 (CPP-II), May 5, 2004
- ^ AIU: AIU Circular No. EV/B(449)/94/176915-177115,January 14, 1994
- ^ AICTE: AICTE/Academic/MOU-DEC/2005, May 13, 2005
- ^ COL Website: IGNOU named "Centre of Excellence", COMLEARN, October 1993 (URL last accessed on April 29, 2007)
- ^ DEC Website: Statutory Authority
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 28°17′38″N 77°07′17″E / 28.2940°N 77.1213°E / 28.2940; 77.1213
