About Ignou

INDIRA GHANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY

IGNOU has achieved the distinction of becoming the largest University in the world with 1.8 million students on its rolls. With the increase in the number of students, the number of academic courses on offer also went up to 138. The IGNOU student services network now has over 1804 Study Centres coordinated by 58 Regional Centres.


The University's Act states that, the University shall:
impart education and knowledge through various means suited to the Open and Distance Education Mode.
provide not only higher education to large sections of the population, but particularly disadvantaged segments of society.
encourage, coordinate and assist Open Universities and Distance Education systems while determining standards in such systems in the country.
provide national integration and strengthen the natural and human resources of the country through the medium of education.

FUNCTIONS OF IGNOU

IGNOU has two main functions:

(i) It offers various academic programmes that lead to Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees. It develops and produces courses for delivery through open learning and distance education mode. IGNOU is also actively involved in research, training and extension education activities.

(ii) In its capacity as an Apex Body, it co-ordinates and monitors distance education system throughout the country. IGNOU has also constituted the Distance Education Council and has provided expertise and assistance to other Open and Distance Learning Institutions in the country.

FEATURES OF IGNOU

IGNOU stands significantly apart from other universities because of:

national jurisdiction
flexible admission rules
individualised study : flexibility, in terms of place, pace and duration of study
use of latest educational and communication technologies
student support services
cost-effective programmes
modular programmes
resource sharing, collaboration and networking between other Open Universities.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

IGNOU has a wide network of study, work and programme centres through which it reaches out to its students located in different parts of the country. Academic counselling is an important instructional component of distance teaching/learning and consists of tutoring and general counselling. Work centres have been established for programmes with practical components, i.e. Laboratory Classes.

At a study centre, the following facilities are extended to students:

* Subject-specific academic-counselling by part-time academic counsellors

* Audio and Video viewing facilities

* Library facilities

* Participation in Teleconferencing

* Information services related to rules, regulations, procedures, schedules, etc. of the University

* Submission of assignment-responses for tutor-comments and grading / marking and

* Term-end examination