We are looking at a mixed model for distance learning ’

VN Rajasekharan Pillai, vice-chancellor, IGNOU, and chairman, Distance Education Council, speaks of the necessity for the convergence of conventional and open learning systems to be used as a future learning tool as well as the need to integrate technology with the traditional learning system in a tete a tete with C Jayanthi
What are the recent initiatives that IGNOU has taken up to spread higher education in the country?
A recent comprehensive proposal that IGNOU has prepared in consultation with the conventional university vice-chancellors in what is a joint IGNOU, UGC and AICTE initiative for the convergence of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) with the conventional system of learning (face to face), has been approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). The targeted Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of the 16-21 age group in higher education during the XIth Plan is 20, about double that of today. By conventional expansion, this requires doubling of the physical faculties and human resources in higher education institutions, which is a rather difficult proposition. As you know, quality with affordable cost is the basic requirement of any open university. We believe that open and distance learning is a tool for education—it does not have to be utilised only by the open university system. Almost 90% of our material is digitised. We are also looking at a mixed model that links face-to-face learning and distance learning systems. This is the state-of-the-art open system of education in the world now. It is then that the merger of the two systems and overall expansion will happen. We are also looking at technology in science-related areas—at how virtual laboratories can be created for a practical mode of teaching. This is when convergence will occur and forms the background of the joint activity of AICTE, UGC and ODL.
What have you achieved in terms of expansion of rural education which is one of the primary aims of distance learning?
Almost 65% of our student enrolment is from the rural areas—we are looking at very specific programmes connected to rural areas. We have created special study centres based on the education deprivation index. We have also started interaction with Jan Sikshan Sansthan programmes in rural areas—JSS is a project of MHRD that looks at the education requirements of rural areas. Our new vocational study centres are located only in rural areas. We are building capacity and you cannot expect that everything will happen overnight. The number of students enrolled in IGNOU is over 15 lakh.
Among the rural education programmes that IGNOU is involved in include the Rajiv Gandhi project that is a pilot project to provide education through satellite connectivity up to the grassroots level for strengthening primary education. The focus of the project is on the development of district-level networks for interactive online modes of communication particularly for educational purposes. The district networks will connect more than 862 schools, district institute of education and training and block resource centre in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh, Koria in Chhattisgarh and Hajipur in Bihar to meet the district level requirements for education and training. Haryana is also coming forward—they are all getting support from ISRO established terminals.
As the Indian economy grows, there is a great requirement for skill enhancement in various sectors. Has IGNOU been involved in that particular project?
We are looking at the skilled certification level of the workforce in the country—the organised workforce and the unorganised workforce. The certified skills in the workforce of the country is only 5%— this is in contrast to all the developed countries of the world where more than 70% of all workforce possess one form of certification or the other. Looking at the traditional work force—carpentary, masonry or women in agriculture, they do not have any certifiable skills, so we are looking at how exactly can we provide them with identifiable skills and also additional soft skills, communication capabilities and computer awareness among other things and give them different levels of certification.
How well are your courses received in African countries?
IGNOU has initiated two programmes in management and education for African countries। Telecommunication India Ltd (TCIL) is the nodal agency that provides undersea cabling for the pan-African programme, meant for 53 countries there.

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