By Prashant K. Nanda
IANS
New Delhi : India's IGNOU, one of the largest open universities in the world which already has a presence in 35 countries, is about to expand its reach to six more nations in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
"We have got some proposals from Syria, Botswana, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Yemen and Uganda. Negotiations are on and we hope for some concrete development within six months," Pankaj Khare, director, international division at IGNOU, told IANS.
The Indira Gandhi National Open University – or IGNOU as it is popularly known -was set up by an act of parliament in 1985 and named after former prime minister Indira Gandhi.
In an Open University system students need not come to the classroom every day and learn through study materials provided by the varsity, participate in the weekend interactive video lectures. More importantly there is no age bar to pursue any course.
It began its academic journey by offering two programmes in 1987 with an initial enrolment of 4,528 students. Today, its student base has increased to 1.5 million.
"The authorities in Syria have approached us to help in capacity building. The country has a new open university and we may partner it in imparting education and helping grow as a bigger and better organisation," Khare said.
"Apart from opening a centre, the African country of Botswana wants licensing rights of IGNOU study material. In Bhutan and Bangladesh, negotiations are on for opening our branches.
"While Uganda is interested in our post graduate courses, Yemen is impressed by out low cost educational system," he said.
Recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), IGNOU offers 129 academic programmes comprising 1,100 courses at the certificate, diploma, degree, masters and doctoral levels.
However, IGNOU provides only 50 courses to foreign students. And the six new countries will get the same number. Over 11,000 overseas students are enrolled under IGNOU.
"Quality material, innovative methods and a vast network are all helping it to assume growing importance among the world community," said Strikant Mohapatra, registrar of the university.
"Cost effectiveness and an interactive medium have takers and we are sure that open and distance learning will assume greater significance in the near future," Mohapatra said.
"Students from Dubai in the Middle East to a remote village in Malkangiri district of Orissa are getting educated by us and recognise our worth."
He said IGNOU has developed itself as an affordable destination for higher education. While its lowest fee is just Rs.600 (nearly $15), the maximum fee structure is just Rs.36,000 ($881).
Explaining the process of setting up branches outside India, Khare said: "The partner institution overseas must be recognised by the local government and needs to have some recognition in society.
"Besides, the ministry of external affairs through Indian embassies abroad helps us in knowing the credibility of the partner organisation.
"Everyday is a new day at IGNOU and we keep looking forward to partnering with foreign countries to impart education to masses and less privileged," he said.