Port Blair, Nov. 19: A two days Orientation Programme for Academic Counsellors was held at IGNOU Regional Centre Port Blair on 17th & 18th November 2012. The program was jointly organised by IGNOU Regional Centre, Port Blair and Staff Training and Research Institute of Distance Education (STRIDE), New Delhi.

The Orientation programme was inaugurated by Shri. Rupesh Kumar Thakur, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman while Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, Principal JNRM graced as the guest of honour.

In the inaugural session the Regional Director I/c Dr. Kasturi S. Pesala welcomed the gathering and the Resource persons from STRIDE, New Delhi.  The Academic Counsellors from Port Blair, Hut Bay, and Car Nicobar Study Centres of IGNOU attended the orientation in which detailed account about IGNOU and Status of Higher Education in the country was presented by Dr. Manjula Saxena, Deputy Director RSD and Prof. P. K. Biswas, STRIDE, New Delhi.

The programme aimed at strengthening the Student Support Services in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and to improve the skills of lecturers associated with IGNOU in the Region. During the programme, study centres activities were discussed and counsellors were taught how to conduct counselling sessions and evaluate Assignments. They were also made aware about Examination system and functioning of the Study centres at different parts of the isles. Importance of Study Material provided by IGNOU and how to make effective use by the students was explained during the orientation. The functioning and activities of Study Centre, Port Blair were highlighted by, Dr. Iqbal Ahmed, Principal JNRM and Dr. J S Manhas, Coordinator, IGNOU Study Centre, Port Blair.

During the two day programme the counsellors were taught how to strengthen the Student Support Services and how to guide the students for self study. Feedbacks and suggestions were taken from the Academic Counsellors to provide more effective functioning at grassroots levels of the isles in the near future. 

On the day of valediction, Certificates were distributed for the participating counsellors. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Shri Sanjiv Kumar Hira, Section Officer of IGNOU Regional Centre, Port Blair.