President dedicates Gyan Deep initiative to the nation with hope that open universities will also generate a movement in the rural areas

President dedicates Gyan Deep initiative to the nation with hope that open universities will also generate a movement in the rural areas

Speaking at the at the inauguration of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in New Delhi Pratibha Devisingh Patil, President of India, said that the Open University System can be useful for a wide section of society and should help in improving skills sets. Enhancing the skill sets of the workforce in the country is a challenge. Only 5 percent of the workforce in India has some kind of certification. This is in contrast to over 85 percent in the developed countries. Encouragement of work-integrated learning followed by examination, certification and accreditation through distance education will be of help. However, to make it effective there would be a need for active two way collaboration with industry and other players.

Open Universities should also generate a movement in the rural areas that will impel people to acquire knowledge and skills for self-empowerment. In this context, educational programmes like the Gyan Darshan Channel of IGNOU, which is reaching over 8 million homes, can be useful in motivating people.

Distance education offers an opportunity to those already in employment to upgrade their knowledge base, so that they can more effectively contribute to the productivity of work in their organizations. Studying, while in employment, also offers opportunities for enhancement of career opportunities.

The Indian Army have decided to to create a process of certification of higher education of soldiers. Till now the skills that the Army personnel acquired while in service were not reflected through any formal degrees awarded to them. Through this new collaboration, they will get appropriate certification. This can be helpful in their work and to start a new professional life at the end of their careers in the Army. I therefore, welcome this new initiative and am pleased to dedicate Gyan Deep to the nation. Similarly, the Flexi Learn Platform which has also been launched today is significant as it provides an opportunity for prospective learners to sample a course before enrolling and thereby, help them in choosing appropriate courses and programmes.

Note: Excerpts from President’s speech