TMI
Correspondent
New
Delhi/ Port Blair, Apr 03: Indira Gandhi National Open University, the largest
Open University in the world hosted its 32nd Convocation today at Baba Saheb
Ambedkar Convention Centre, IGNOU Campus, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi. The
University awarded 200,000 degrees, diplomas, and certificates in the
Convocation to the successful students in their respective programmes. Gold
medals were also awarded to over 70 meritorious students in the Convocation.
Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, Honourabe Vice-President of India was the Chief Guest
and delivered the 32nd Convocation Address on the occasion.
Similarly,
the 32nd Convocation function of IGNOU was arranged at Port Blair in the Dr.
B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium and displayed the live programme of 32nd Convocation
of IGNOU held in New Delhi in projector.
The
gathering at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium witnessed the speech of Hon'ble Vice
President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu, while lauding the University's mission of
'democratization of education' and 'reaching the unreached' Shri M Venkaiah
Naidu said that IGNOU has made knowledge acquisition accessible to many
learners, who otherwise were unable to attend regular institutes of higher
learning. Stressing the need for students to continuously learn to remain
competitive in this ever-changing world, Vice President said, "Learning
does not end with the acquisition of an educational degree. Learning is an
ongoing process and you need to upgrade knowledge on a daily basis to face a
highly competitive world. As you all are aware, India was once known as
Vishwaguru and students from across the world used to come here and study in
reputed learning centres like Takshashila."
He
also urged the youngsters to re-establish India as a knowledge and innovation
hub. And for that to happen, he said that we have to completely overhaul our
higher education system to cater to the fast changing requirements of the 21st
century in different sectors apart from remoulding the syllabi and pedagogy,
the stress should be on learning-by-doing.
Speaking
at the Convocation function held at Port Blair in the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Auditorium, Dr. Sibnarayan Dam Roy, Former Director, Principal Scientist &
Head (Fish and Fisheries Science), CIARI, Port Blair as guest of honour,
appreciated Regional Director of IGNOU for efforts in improving its reach to
the every corner of the A&N Islands. He also appreciated the working
section of students, who have studied alongwith working in their respective
fields or organizations. He said, "Education is a liberating and democratizing
force cutting across various classes for smoothening out inequality".
"The quality teaching of IGNOU by distance learning, with significance to
teach higher education and professional development of the people is now
teaching about 3 million learners all over India", he added. He also
congratulated the IGNOU students who were successfully completed their
Diplomas, Degrees and has presented certificates to about 300 students present
in the 32nd Convocation of IGNOU.
Earlier,
Dr. S. Ganesan, Regional Director, IGNOU, Port Blair gave a detailed
presentation of development since last one years. He said, over 49950 students
are pursuing their studies in IGNOU from A&N Islands. He further informed
that 24% of growth in Regional Port Blair in degree course since two years, and
growth in fresh admissions in January cycle is 17% and 15% in July cycle, which
shows the tremendous development of IGNOU in Port Blair Region. Apart from
this, the process of admission, exam fees and other things made easy by online.
Students friendly activities, like classes on demand and video classes for
IGNOU students as well as other college students is getting good response from
students. Dr. S. Ganesan further said, about 51 articles published in local
newspapers based on studies and development of learners. Meanwhile, Dr. S.
Ganesan presented mementos to the close associates of IGNOU and certificates to
the NCC and NSS cadres of JNRM also presented on the occasion.