New Delhi, February 21
Delivering the convocation address of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today, the former Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Member, Rajya Sabha, Dr K.
Kasturirangan, said the educational satellite EDUSAT is a unique mission anywhere in the world and envisages creating a bridge for providing extensive nationwide outreach for programmes related to education, training and enrichment. While radio broadcast and television have had a long history in distance education, the use of the computer to create virtual classrooms at a distance is quite new and relies on Internet and Web.
The interactive abilities of the computer, particularly its unique capability to accept input and use the same to determine its subsequent presentation of information or output is unique compared to other technologies. This input processing-output capability can be used to develop computer-based tutorials that support the cognitive process involved in reading.
The resulting concepts in virtual learning can either supplement the existing face to face class or entirely replace it with learners never meeting their teachers or peers. Virtual learning is beginning to be used in developing countries with a combination of Online materials, including Online chat, video broadcast, CD Roms and DVD’s, he added.
The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman
Al-Khalifa, and Field Marshall S.H.F.J. Manekshaw were conferred honorary degrees of Doctor of Letters for their outstanding contributions for world peace and understanding.
The
Ignou Vice-Chancellor, Prof H. P. Dikshit, highlighted the need to bring more flexibility to the system and encourage close cooperation among open universities.
It has been agreed to share and transfer credits acquired by students, that would ensure greater learner mobility and convenience, he said.
He said with a view to helping
IGNOU learners get better jobs, the University has established a placement cell.
To begin with the cell will cater to BIT, ADIT and other select professional courses. Moreover, since IGNOU has produced a very large trained manpower and our students are well spread, working for different government and non-government organizations, it is therefore, necessary for us to know more about our former students, he said.
Thus, the University has initiated the process of forming alumini association of
IGNOU students. The modalities and rules and regulations are being framed, he added. Prof. Dikshit declared that the South Asia Foundation has allocated 3,000 SAF Madanjeet Singh Scholarships, each worth US $ 300 per annum, for students enrolled in post-graduate and vocational studies in
IGNOU. Moreover, another 3,000 scholarships for Open and Distance Learning System
(ODL) in the country shall be processed through Distance Education Council (DEC).
As many as 74,606 students of IGNOU were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates at this convocation. Out of which 41 students were gold medallists. The convocation was held simultaneously at 23 regional centres of
IGNOU and telecast live on the educational TV channel Gyan Darshan.
