New horizons

Bhubaneswar, July 5: Indira Gandhi Open University (IGNOU) is planning to introduce one more regional centre in Orissa as a part of its expansion plans in the state. The new centre will have state - specific courses.

Having two regional centres at Bhubaneswar and Koraput, IGNOU is planning to set up one more regional centre in western Orissa to cater to the educational aspirations of many more in the state’s socially and educationally backward districts.

“However, this can materialise only after we get adequate support from the state government for our infrastructure, like land. We have already initiated talks with the state government in this regard,” said IGNOU vice-chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai.

Pillai, who went on a short tour to Orissa, said IGNOU is contemplating the introduction of a management course on tourism and heritage conservation. “This is a state specific course keeping in mind the state’s rich cultural and tourism heritage. A half yearly course on water and sanitation management would soon be added in the university curriculum,” he said.

“The minimum qualification for getting admission into this course will be a 10 plus two. Large-scale industrialization in the state has prompted IGNOU to introduce an industry specific corporate training and consultancy service to help young professionals get a better entrance in the industrial sector,” he said.

“Being a premier institute of open distance learning in the country, IGNOU has accepted the responsibility of increasing the gross enrolment ratio up to 15 per cent in higher education with other universities and stakeholders in the country,” he maintained.

With only 13 centres in 2000, IGNOU has now 123 centres all over the state. The growth of student enrolment is equally encouraging with annual enrolment figure touching 20,000 alone at the Bhubaneswar regional centre. One hundred and fifty different academic programmes in various disciplines are offered through the network of learners support centres in the state.

“Buoyed by the popularity of the university among the students, IGNOU authorities are contemplating to provide some courses in Oriya to help students understand better,” said S.K. Tripathy, regional director, IGNOU, Bhubaneswar.