IGNOU Inaugurates Regional Centres In Jodhpur, Aizawl, Rajkot And Trivandrum

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) recently inaugurated its newly built facilities at four regional centers – Jodhpur, Aizawl, Rajkot, and Trivandrum. The virtual event, which took place at Shastri Bhawan on August 3, was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of Higher Education, and Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of School Education, both representing the Government of India.

Commending IGNOU for its commendable efforts in enhancing educational infrastructure and providing quality education to the masses, K Sanjay Murthy acknowledged the university's significant role in promoting regional languages and fostering inclusivity through technology-driven education, aligning with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Sanjay Kumar echoed this sentiment, praising IGNOU for its role in extending quality education to marginalized communities and underserved groups. He emphasized that IGNOU will continue to be a prominent player in higher education across the nation, as stated in a report by Careers 360.

Addressing the gathering, Nageshwar Rao, the Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its support in creating advanced physical and technological infrastructure. He highlighted the pivotal role of educational technology in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online education, especially in reaching out to remote communities.

The Vice-Chancellor also emphasized the significance of the newly established regional centers in Jodhpur, Aizawl, Rajkot, and Trivandrum, particularly in facilitating education for female students and underprivileged individuals, including those residing in rural areas as well as from SC, ST, and OBC categories.

In a similar vein, IGNOU's Srinagar Regional Centre officially inaugurated its new office building in Saida Kadal Rainwari in May. Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Ramshoo, Honorable Vice Chancellor of IUST, presided over the formal inauguration.

Furthermore, IGNOU has recently entered into Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide skill-based bachelor’s degree programs to Agniveers. This pioneering initiative, reported by The Hindustan Times, aims to empower Agniveers with a higher education degree while they continue to serve, thereby enhancing their employability prospects post-service.

The diverse range of skill-based courses offered under this initiative includes BAAS: Bachelor of Arts (Applied Skills), BAASTM: Bachelor of Arts (Applied Skills) in Tourism Management, BAASMSME: Bachelor of Arts (Applied Skills) in MSME, BCOMAS: Bachelor of Commerce (Applied Skills), and BSCAS: Bachelor of Science (Applied Skills). Through these partnerships, IGNOU is taking significant steps towards bridging the gap between education and service for the benefit of dedicated individuals in uniform.