NIELIT, IGNOU Srinagar to collaborate on skill development, employability, innovation

Srinagar, Jan 7: In a move to enhance educational outcomes and employment opportunities for learners, Ashaq Hussain Dar, Director, NIELIT (Deemed to be University), visited the IGNOU Regional Centre, Srinagar, for a courtesy meeting with Dr AH Rizvi, Regional Director, IGNOU Srinagar.

The meeting focused on fostering collaboration between two institutions for providing quality education to IGNOU learners, improve job employability, and induct IGNOU learners into various government schemes and programmes run by NIELIT.

During the meeting, Ashaq Hussain Dar highlighted several online and offline skill development programmes, which can be beneficial for IGNOU students, particularly in the areas of IT, electronics, and computer science. These programs include certifications in areas such as digital literacy, cyber security, block chain, drone technology and software development, which would complement the academic programmes offered by IGNOU. He also shared information about its paid internship and placement schemes, where IGNOU students can access various industry partnerships and placement opportunities, thereby bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry requirements.

Dar emphasised NIELIT's support for entrepreneurship among IGNOU students as NIELIT offers mentorship and training programs for students interested in starting their own businesses in the IT and electronics sector. These programs are designed to help students develop the necessary skills to launch startups. It was also proposed to collaborate with IGNOU on research projects, particularly in the field of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, block chain, the Internet of Things (IoT) and more. The collaboration would aim to foster innovation and research among students.

Dr. Rizvi invited director NIELIT to be one of the key member of the placement cell of Regional Centre for giving more impetus to the placement drives organised by IGNOU. In reciprocation, Dar invited IGNOU computer science students to participate in NIELIT’s placement drives.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both institutions agreeing to explore avenues for collaboration and develop a framework to provide IGNOU students with access to NIELIT’s schemes and programmes.