'Educational institutes still a dream in remote areas'
13 April 2013 8:46 AM IST
The demand for higher education in our country far exceeds its supply, the density of educational institutions in India has no doubt increased from 10 to 14 institutions per 1,000 square kilometre during the Eleventh Plan period. But educational institutions are still absent in remote area,' said Pranab Mukherjeerjee, President of India at the 26th Convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the president said the establishment of IGNOU was a huge moment in the history of Indian education. It has provided opportunities to a large number of people who were unable to access formal education or who wanted to diversify their academic portfolio or those who wanted to study for self-enrichment and upgradation. It has taken higher education to the masses and has learners from a wide range of age groups, including teenagers and working adults.
According to him, lifelong learning is imperative in today’s demanding world. 'The higher education sector must respond to this new opportunity. As learning has no terminal point, ‘career learners’ would be a new demand entity. Our universities should design programmes that assist such lifelong learners.'
He also said, 'The absence of educational institutes in remote areas resulted in low enrollment in higher education'.
He said IGNOU, in a span of 27 years, has become a pioneer for open and distance learning in the country and meets the education demands of 30 lakh students in India and 43 other countries through a network of 67 regional centres, around 3,350 learner support centres and 82 overseas centres.
Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for HRD, said, 'It is important that a major part of this effort is geared to the needs of the young aspirants. There is bound to be progress in the country if the youth would continue to move forward towards making a better India'.
M Aslam, vice-chancellor, IGNOU, while presenting the report claimed that IGNOU is the largest open university in the world.
Aslam also mentioned the Pan Africa e-Network Project of IGNOU, which offers a range of programmes to around 30 African countries.
This year, 1,58,387 students from all over India received their degrees, diplomas and certificates. Eleven students were awarded doctoral degrees, including a gold medal for an international student and three students were awarded PhD outside HQs.
Speaking on the occasion, the president said the establishment of IGNOU was a huge moment in the history of Indian education. It has provided opportunities to a large number of people who were unable to access formal education or who wanted to diversify their academic portfolio or those who wanted to study for self-enrichment and upgradation. It has taken higher education to the masses and has learners from a wide range of age groups, including teenagers and working adults.
According to him, lifelong learning is imperative in today’s demanding world. 'The higher education sector must respond to this new opportunity. As learning has no terminal point, ‘career learners’ would be a new demand entity. Our universities should design programmes that assist such lifelong learners.'
He also said, 'The absence of educational institutes in remote areas resulted in low enrollment in higher education'.
He said IGNOU, in a span of 27 years, has become a pioneer for open and distance learning in the country and meets the education demands of 30 lakh students in India and 43 other countries through a network of 67 regional centres, around 3,350 learner support centres and 82 overseas centres.
Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for HRD, said, 'It is important that a major part of this effort is geared to the needs of the young aspirants. There is bound to be progress in the country if the youth would continue to move forward towards making a better India'.
M Aslam, vice-chancellor, IGNOU, while presenting the report claimed that IGNOU is the largest open university in the world.
Aslam also mentioned the Pan Africa e-Network Project of IGNOU, which offers a range of programmes to around 30 African countries.
This year, 1,58,387 students from all over India received their degrees, diplomas and certificates. Eleven students were awarded doctoral degrees, including a gold medal for an international student and three students were awarded PhD outside HQs.
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