Bhubaneswar, Nov. 23: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) is set to boost computer literacy among tribal youths through its study centres-on-wheels project.
The computer centres will be mounted on a van so that they can move to inaccessible terrains and interior areas of the state.
"There are still many places in the state where the youths are interested to get educated and trained, but are not able to do so in the absence of any study centre. This problem had to be addressed. The mobile study centres are a sensible solution to this problem. The vans will have all the required infrastructure," said Abhilash Nayak, regional director of Ignou.
Equipped with 15 computers and required peripherals, the vehicles will visit places where the open varsity has at least 15 to 20 students enrolled in computer courses. While the varsity will have dedicated faculty members for the project, the vehicles will be monitored from regional offices in Bhubaneswar and Koraput.
"Our basic idea is to cater to the needs of students in the remote places of the state," said Nayak.
Students living in far-flung areas of the state have appreciated the move.
"Introduction of the study centres on wheels is a very good idea and will benefit disadvantaged students, who live in the interior pockets and educationally backward areas," said Rupa Roy, a student.
Ignou is planning a major expansion in the state by offering more courses, opening and reviving more study centres, along with undertaking outreach programmes in the field of higher education.
"We have planned to offer new programmes on mental health, applied chemistry, applied mathematics and computer science at our regional study centres," said Nayak.
The open varsity has also planned to collaborate with the public and private sector undertakings to upgrade skills of their human resource teams under corporate social responsibility (CSR) scheme.
Ignou already introduced various medical courses at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and is set to start more programmes such as organic farming and beekeeping.
The regional headquarters of the varsity in Bhubaneswar at present has 125 study centres and more than 30,000 students enrolled in various programmes.