Examination Centre At District Jail to Come Up in Forthcoming TEE
Port Blair, April 12: Indira Gandhi National Open University, Regional Centre Port Blair organized its 26th Convocation today at the JNRM Auditorium, Port Blair. Shri Anand Praskahji, Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration was the Guest of Honour at Port Blair Regional Centre. The Regional Centre Port Blair is awarding 189 students on this 26th Convocation, among them 43 from masters degree, 113 from Bachelors degree, 19 from PG Diploma and 14 from Diploma courses.
Dr. Kasturi Pesala, the Regional Director (i/c) in her speech stated that till date the Regional Centre, Port Blair has enrolled 11,824 learners in their 08 Learner Support Centres. She stated further that the Regional Centre has opened an examination centre at Prothrapur District jail for jail inmates for its forthcoming TEE. The BCA/MCA students of IGNOU brought laurels to the Regional Centre by grabbing over all second position at Technovaganza 2012 organised by JNRM, Port Blair. The future plan of IGNOU Regional Centre Port Blair is to start a new course MA (Anthropology) in collaboration with Anthropological Survey of India, Andaman Region.
Further she has given a brief about the university & its activities. IGNOU has a cumulative strength of 3 million students, offering 400 programmes with 3500 courses (Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees & Doctoral degrees) developed through 21 schools of studies and delivered through 67 Regional Centres. The University has strengthened its presence in 43 countries beyond the Indian shores and 82 overseas partner institutions including the PAN Africa Network, SAARC Tele- Education Network, UNESCO and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation support centres.
To further disseminate the knowledge & to provide effective student support services, the University has 37 Gyan Vani Stations & two Gyan Darshan Educational Channels. We are also planning to conduct the special drives for the marginalized groups (SC/ST, differently-abled and weaker sections of the society). IGNOU plans to focus on five major areas during the 12th Five year Plan:
•To increase access, equity & quality of (ODL) by strengthening student support services
• To provide support for affordable education with a provision for lateral entry into main stream education
•To develop human resource through vocational & need based programmes including skill development
•To provide support for ICT enabled initiatives for extending reach to all disadvantaged sections of the society
The Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Praskahji, Andaman & Nicobar Administration in his speech quoted that The Regional Centre achieved several feets during its short span of 7 years. He further said it’s a remarkable achievement for the IGNOU Regional Centre for opening an examination centre at district Jail for jail inmates. He said that IGNOU is not only working for the betterment of the islanders but it is also giving them an opportunity for higher education near its doorsteps. He congratulated all the graduands of the 26th Convocation on completion of their degree and wished them a bright future ahead and successful life in all their future endeavors.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr.Ashok.K.Pandey, Study Centre-Coordinator, Mayabunder Study Centre-0208
Prof Iqbal Ahamad, Principal JNRM, Port Blair, Dr. R.N.Rath, Principal MGGC, Mayabunder were special guests at the convocation. The coordinators Dr. J.S. Manhas Study Centre- 0201 & Dr. Ashok. K. Pandey, Study Centre-0208 were also present. Dignitaries from various departments viz. DHS, Education, CARI, PIB, etc. study centre functionaries, academic & non academic staff of JNRM, also graced this occasion with their presence.