Indira Gandhi National Open University

Introduction

Indira Gandhi National Open University known as IGNOU, is a Central University located at New Delhi, India. Named after former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, the university was established in 1985 with a budget of Rs 20 million, after the Parliament of India passed the Indira Gandhi National Open University Act, 1985 (IGNOU Act 1985). IGNOU is run by the central government of India, and with total active enrolment of over 4 million students, claims to be the largest university in the world. 

IGNOU was founded to serve the Indian population by means of distance and open education, providing quality higher education opportunities to all segments of society. It also aims to encourage, coordinate and set standards for distance and open education in India, and to strengthen the human resources of India through education. 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.

Vision & Mission

Vision

IGNOU, the National Resource Centre for Open and Distance Learning (ODL), with international recognition and presence, shall provide seamless access to sustainable and learner-centric quality education, skill upgradation and training to all by using innovative technologies and methodologies and ensuring convergence of existing systems for massive human resource required for promoting integrated national development and global understanding.

Mission

To advance frontiers of knowledge and promote its dissemination through sustainable Open and Distance Learning systems, seamlessly accessible to all, including those hitherto unreached, from among whom the leaders and innovators of tomorrow will emerge, the University shall:

• Strengthen the development of the National Resource Centre as a proactive role model for high-quality and learner-centric Open and Distance Learning system;
• Share professional capabilities and resources to improve standards of distance education in the country;
• Periodically assess and accredit institutions of Open and Distance Learning to promote centres of excellence in the country;
• Develop networks, using emerging technologies and methods, with global reach for effective programme delivery;
• Provide an intelligent and flexible system of education to meet the challenges of access and equity, and work towards development of a knowledge society;
• Forge convergence of all systems and work for seamless education across national boundaries to develop global collaboration and partnership;
• Take education to the hitherto unreached and promote community participation for local development through life-coping skills;
• Provide specific need-based education and training opportunities for continuous professional development and skill upgradation to in-service professionals; and
• Strive towards continuous development of methods and strategies for research and development for generation of knowledge in frontier areas, including Open and Distance Learning.

Organisation Structure 

 Advantages of study programmes at IGNOU

• Flexible Admission Rules
• Individualised Study Flexibility in Terms of Place, Pace & Duration
• Nationwide Student Support Services Network
• Cost Effective Programmes
• Resource Sharing, Collaboration & Networking with other Universities
• Programmes Based on Students Need Analysis

Various Schools

• School of Humanities
• School of Social Sciences
• School of Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Continuing Education
• School of Engineering & Technolog
• School of Management Studies
• School of Health Sciences
• School of Computer & Information Sciences
• School of Agriculture
• School of Law
• School of Journalism and New Media Studies
• School of Gender & Development Studies
• School of Tourism Hospitality Service Management
• School of Interdisciplinary & Trans-disciplinary Studies
• School of Social Work
• School of Vocational Education and Training
• School of Extension & Development Studies
• School of Foreign Languages
• School of Translation Studies and Training
• School of Performing & Visual Arts

Research Unit

The Research Unit has been established at the Indira Gandhi National Open University vide notification dated 6 October 2008. Prior to that, research-related activities were looked after by the Academic Coordination Division. The Unit has been established with the following objectives:

• To conduct Research Council and Research Council's Standing Committee meetings for developing policies and frameworks for the conduct of research activities.
• To register and monitor all full-time and part-time MPhil and PhD candidates.
• To engage Research Teaching Assistants under IGNOU-DEC RTA Scheme for conduct of research and teaching.
• To conduct workshops/seminars on research methodology for full-time and part-time research candidates.
• To facilitate systemic/discipline-based research in the University.

Accreditation & recognition

IGNOU has been granted the authority to confer degrees by Clause of the IGNOU Act 1985. IGNOU is also recognised as a Central University by the University Grants Commission of India (UGC). The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognises IGNOU conferred degrees as on par with the degrees conferred by its members and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) recognises the Master of Computer Applications and Master of Business Administration program of IGNOU. 

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. 

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.

References: 

• Wikipedia, IGNOU Website & Detail self-study

Written By: - Mr Roshan Vasantrao Pawar | Student | Indira Gandhi National Open University Delhi | School of Social Work