digitalLEARNING-Sept-2011-[26-27]-IGNOU Community College Initative

INDIRA GANDHI NATI Maidan Garhi, New Delhi

IGNOU Community College Initative

Making

a Mark

Across the Globe IGNOU to partner with US Community Colleges “The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Community College initiative is now finalizing a partnership with the well-established US Community College system through the latest Obama-Singh initiative 2011,” said Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, VC, IGNOU. “With the introduction of the proposed National Vocational Educational Qualification Framework by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD), the community college initiative would contribute significantly to the enhancement of the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) since it provides lateral entry to the university degrees,” he said.

IGNOU started the community college initiative consisting of modular level education, hands-on training and work integrated learning leading to the award of certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees. From there it expanded and the community college scheme of the university has picked up with the participation of diverse grassroots level organizations, both in the private and public domain in the country.

Government departments like the information technology, rural development, textiles, technical education, Indian Army, Naval and Air force collaborated with the university in this nation-wide skill development initiative, leading to certification of employable skills and the enhancement of livelihood opportunities of the underprivileged sections of the society.

ONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY – 110068, India, www.ignou.ac.in

Haryana government and IGNOU establishes community college Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana, inaugurated the Indira Gandhi National Open University’s (IGNOU’s) Haryana IGNOU Community College, Institute for Competency Advancement of Teachers (iCAT) and a new teaching block at Government Polytechnic, Manesar.

“Keeping on the tab of the number of polytechnics in Haryana, the state has seen immense growth in their number. The efficiency of both teachers and students are imperative for the state’s growth. We must ensure this type of mutual benefit arising from education so that the students get employment,” said the chief minister while inaugurating the community college. He also urged to start paramedical vocational programmes in the community college.

“We started this scheme of community colleges under public initiative to chalk out a programme for skill development in the country. It is an autonomous society created by the university to provide vocational education, skill upgradation and training which will help the country to answer the problem of skill deficit,” said Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, VC, IGNOU during the inauguration.

Under this collaboration between IGNOU and Haryana Community college, twenty new courses will soon be introduced on security, automobiles repair, fabrication, electrical, electronics, information and communication technology, printing, garments, fire safety management, water harvesting management, tourism and hotel management, foreign language (Spanish and French), paralegal, beautician, creative writing and communication skills, construction design, transport management and conductor training, retailing management.