IGNOU Srinagar holds 37th Convocation | Women folk making better use of IGNOU programs: VC CUK

Srinagar, Feb 20: Vice Chancellor (VC) Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Prof A Ravindar Nath today said that women folk are making use of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) programs more effectively.

He was addressing the 36th convocation of IGNOU. The Convocation of the main campus of the University was held through online mode while the IGNOU regional centre Srinagar held its Convocation at Gandhi Bhawan, University of Kashmir.

Around 9616 learners from 126 programmes were eligible for getting degrees during the 37th Convocation of regional centre Srinagar. Out of them, 1266 had registered for getting degrees on the convocation while 214 learners had opted to receive the degree in person.

The Vice Chancellor (VC) Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Prof. A Ravindar Nath was the guest of the Honour at the occasion.

The Regional Director IGNOU Regional Centre (RC) Srinagar, Dr. Shahnawaz Ahmad Dar in his welcome said the Srinagar centre has emerged as one of the largest regional centres of IGNOU.

“The enrolment has reached to the new heights and was 46420 for the admission cycles of June and July 2023 with more than 300 programmes on offer from Regional Centre Srinagar,” he said.

He said they have 4000 academic counselors who are teaching at these study centres. “We have 300 part time staff who are also playing their role in reaching out to students,” he said.

He said the IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar started its journey in 1999 from one room of Department of Commerce of KU with an enrollment of 1000 students in 14 programmes

“But at present IGNOU centre Srinagar is one of the largest centres operating practically in every nook and corner of Kashmir,” he said.

He said RC Srinagar IGNOU has been part of several prestigious projects of Government of India and one such project, he said was e-VidyaBharti Project, under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), GOI which offers Tele-education services through internet-based web portals.

Dr Shahnawaz said that one student of the Regional Centre Srinagar pursuing Masters Degree in Gandhi and Peace Studies has been awarded Gold Medal for securing first position in the programme at all India level.

“Students pursuing different programmes from the IGNOU will be able to access and download their degrees from their DigiLocker accounts.

He said that IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar is now part of several prestigious projects of Government of India.

“The centre is a part of the prestigious e-VidyaBharti Project, of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), GoI, which offers Tele-education services through internet-based web portals to 19 African countries,” he said.

The Guest of Honour of the Convocation function organized by the IGNOU Regional Centre Srinagar was Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Central University of Kashmir, Prof. A. RavinderNath. The function was also attended by the Registrar University of Kashmir Prof Naseer Iqbal and other officers of the university administration, the Deans, Heads, Coordinators, officers and other staff of the University of Kashmir,

The VC CUK Prof. A Ravinder Nath in his convocation address highlighted the importance of distance and online education in the present times and the role played by IGNOU in providing the educational services to the remote, rural and far-flung areas.

“The students have acquired their degrees with their best efforts. This degree will enable them to contribute for the betterment of the nation and they can grow the system,” he said.

The VC said the women folk, who are making better use of the particular IGNOU programmes more effectively are contributing to the society and to their families as well.

“Once the family members are educated they know their responsibilities very well and how to live in integrity with the society. They also contribute to world peace. By acquiring these degrees, the students not only empower themselves but the nation as well,” VC CUK said.

Registrar, KU Prof Naseer Iqbal also spoke at the occasion and hailed the efforts of the IGNOU regional centre Srinagar for setting several benchmarks in distance and online education.

“IGNOU is providing educational services to the different sections of society particularly to the disadvantaged groups in Kashmir and Ladakh regions,” he said.