GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
ITANAGAR

IPR (PR) 3/2008                                                                 Dated Naharlagun, Mar.04, 2009

PRESS RELEASE NO. 199
                               

20th Convocation of Regional IGNOU center held
"Be socially useful with multi-disciplinary approach to make ourselves proud" – Governor

NAHARLAGUN, March 4: We have to be socially useful, innovative and have multi-disciplinary approach to make ourselves, our state and country proud, said Governor Gen (Rtd) J.J Singh while conferring degrees, diploma and distributing certificates at the 20th Convocation of Indira Gandhi Open University at the Regional IGNOU center here on Feb 28 last, reports PRO to Governor.

            He said knowledge is a powerful agent of change, adding that creation and application of new knowledge has to be contributed for the growth of societies and thereby for the welfare of the people.

            The Governor in his convocation speech called for development of quality benchmarks and standards in distance education. Placing his appreciation for the effort of the IGNOU in the State, Gen Singh pointed IGNOU can play a vital role in through a structured academia-industry interface and by setting up business-development incubators which can facilitate start-ups and new business ventures. For those who are in service, especially for teachers and lecturers, it can provide wonderful opportunities to undertake reorientation courses in order to improve their knowledge and skill. It also helps them to update themselves with latest happenings and requirements.

            In his address, IGNOU Regional Director, Dr. S.J. Neethirajan while dwelling in length on IGNOU, informed that the IGNOU, established by an Act of Parliament in 1985, has emerged as the largest mega university in the democratic world. It began by offering two academic programmes in 1987, i.e., Diploma in Management and Diploma in Distance Education, with strength of 4528 students. Today, it serves the educational aspirations of about 1.8 million students in 32 countries, through twenty-one Schools of Study and a network of 58 regional centres, more than 1804 study centres/ tele-learning centres and around 46 overseas centres, he said, adding the University offers 138 Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Doctoral programmes comprising around 1300 courses, supported by strength of 362 faculty members and academic staff at the Headquarters and Regional Centres and about 26,000 counselors drawn from conventional institutions of higher learning, processionals from various organizations, among others.

            On the Regional Center, the Regional Director said, Itanagar Regional Centre, Naharlagun had been setup in the Year 2000 in a rented house. The Regional Centre here is promoting education in the far flung areas by reaching the door steps of the students. It is committed to excellence in teaching, training, capacity building, scholarship, research and public service. It ensures the appropriate use of information and communication technologies and the satellite media to support quality teaching and learning.

            He added, the Center is equipped with a Tele learning centre, a seminar hall, warehouse and library. Counseling classes for BCA, MCA, CIC and CLP courses are conducted at the tele learning centre of the RC. The practical based workshop I & II of the B.Ed courses were usually conducted at the RC conference hall. 48 courses are offered through our Regional Centre. Recently MA in education and M.Ed programmes were activated at the programme study centre in Rajiv Gandhi University. Other courses are offered through the study centres activated at the 7 colleges and 6 programme study centres which are activated at DIETs. More than 100 counsellors from these conventional educational institutions are associated with the RC. The Regional Centre and few of our study centres are equipped with the EDUSAT facilities.

            Regarding enrolment status, Regional Director informed that in the year 2008, 1132 students have enrolled in various courses. Nearly 407 students have enrolled in the January session of 2009. 20% overall growth in enrolment status is recorded in the year 2008. While we see the out come, 176 students have completed their courses last year and are eligible for award of the degrees, diplomas and certificates during 20th convocation.       To improve the quality education at the school levels, B.Ed courses are offered through IGNOU. So far 738 students have enrolled in B.Ed courses from the year 2000 to till date. This year alone 63 students have successfully completed their B.Ed degree course. For primary teachers, Certificate in Primary Education programme is offered by IGNOU. From 2004 to till date 632 untrained teachers have been benefited by the CPE programme, 26 candidates have cleared CPE course during this year.

            Detailing on the Demography of the students enrolled in the Regional Center, Neethirajan said during the year 2008, nearly 47% of the learners fall between the age group of 26 to 30 category, and 46.02% of the learners are male while 53.97% of the learners are female candidates. Incase of community wise enrolment status, 59.8% of the students are from tribal category, and 25.8% of the students are from general category, 9.7% of the students are from OBC group and only 4.5% of the students are from SC category. Among the students those who have enrolled in the year 2008, 61.1% of the learners are already in employment where as 38.86% of the learners are not in employment, he added.

            Altogether 27 students out of 176 qualified students received their degrees on the occasion, the report added.

Sd/- Purabi Taikam, PRO