IGNOU facilitates expansion of educational development in North East Region (NER) by providing opportunities of higher education, training, skill development and other initiatives through Educational Development of the North East Region Unit (EDNERU). The unit was initially established under the North-East Project (NEP) in the year 2000, by MHRD with a grant of Rs 8 crores, under the Prime Minister’s non-lapsable funds. NEP was envisioned to enhance access and equalize educational opportunities in the NER since then EDNERU has made significant contribution for educational development through its network of 9 Regional Centres(RC) and 170 functional LSCs across 8 states in the NER. EDNERU caters to the needs of nearly 69965 students (Jan and July 2018) in all the 9 RCs.

 

To give focused attention to the development of the North-East Region, a ‘North-East Council for IGNOU Regional Centres(NECIRC) has been created. NECIRC has been mandated to evolve strategies for overall educational development of the North-East Region. A Nodal Office for NECIRC has been created at RC Shillong and the Regional Director of RC Shillong would coordinate operations of the NECIRC for the first two years as Convener. The first meeting was held on 5th February 2017 at RC Guwahati and the second meeting of the NECIRC was held on 5thAugust 2017 at RC Shillong and some strategies were suggested for the overall development of the North East Region.