IGNOU’s convergence courses making headway

[dwarakesh]

The Convergence programme of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) introduced last year has taken off well in 17 districts in the central, western and southern parts of Tamil Nadu that fall under the jurisdiction of the Madurai Regional Centre.

The number of convergence institutions has risen up to 30 in the Madurai region. In Tiruchi district, four colleges: Bishop Heber College, Jamal Mohamed College, National College, and Shrimati Indira Gandhi College, offer IGNOU's convergence programmes.

Alongside brightening the employment prospects of students enrolled in conventional programmes through IGNOU's add-on courses, the convergence scheme is fulfilling the purpose of putting the resources of colleges to optimum utilisation during vacations and weekends as advocated by the University Grants Commission and the All India Council for Technical Education, according to M. Shanmugam, Regional Director, IGNOU, Madurai Region. The institutions in the convergence scheme also stand to benefit through utilisation of the IGNOU's study resources, he said.

Known for the excellence of its open and distance learning system, the IGNOU was making the most of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for bridging the quality gap between conventional and distance learning programmes through efficient student support system, use of Edusat and audio-visual equipment, and creation of web-casting facilities.

Sixty per cent of the 83 study centres were in rural parts, Dr. Shanmugam said, explaining the role IGNOU plays in enhancing gross enrolment ratio in higher education during the XI Plan period. A final shape was being given by IGNOU to the proposal for admitting students of community colleges through lateral entry for associate degree programmes, to enable the academic progress of students belonging to economically disadvantaged sections of the society.