28th Convocation of IGNOU held on August 08, 2015
12 August, 2015
1,91,818 Degrees/Diplomas were awarded at the Convocation of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to students who passed the examination in December 2013 and June 2014. 98 Ph.D, 25 M. Phil, 47,198 Master’s Degree, 75,305 Bachelors Degree, 51,253 Diplomas and 17,939 certificates were awarded at this convocation.
While Ph.D and M.Phil students were awarded degree at the Maidan Garhi, Headquaters of the University, students of various Masters and Bachelors degree, diplomas and certificates were awarded at their respective Regional Centres.
Dr. Hari Gautam, Renowned educationist, Former Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) and currently President, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Science and Technology, Jaipur was the Chief Guest and delivered the convocation address. Prof. D. P. Singh, Former VC Lucknow University was the distinguished guest.
Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor I/c , IGNOU presented his report.
Dr. Hari Gautam, Former Chairman, UGC in his Convocation address emphasized that the principal goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generation have done. It is to create people who are creative, inventive and discoverers. The whole purpose of education is to turn ‘mirrors’ into ‘windows’. Education has to be aimed at not only imparting cation is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generation relevant skills, but also inculcating the sense of responsibility, dedication, patriotism, character and moral values. Changing times demand a new concept and innovative approach to reform to update our educational system and create institutions with more meaningful outcome.
In contrast to the conventional institutions, the Open Distance Learning system- ODL, has been observing far greater responsibilities in terms of educating, skills and providing a sense of discipline and professionalism to a large number of learners. It is a herculean task which otherwise would never have been possible with such admirable results as accomplished by the IGNOU, he added.
Prof. D. P. Singh, Guest of Honour in his address stressed that the notion that the distance education is another name for the correspondence courses has to dispel from the minds of the people. The idea that the distance education is highly technology- intensive and learner-centric system has to be propagated. The use of ICTs and the possibilities of satellite- based education need to be explored. The overall purpose of the Open University system should be knowledge and skill- based, technology enabled, inclusive growth of the society through maximum opportunities for education and training.
Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor I/c , IGNOU in his report stated that the University continues to break new ground, as it expands its range of academic programmes. The new programmes launched include: Master of Social Work (Counseling), Master of Arts( Translation Studies), Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Planning and Development, Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Statistics, Postgraduate Certificate in Information and Assistive Technologies for Instructors of Visually Impaired, Postgraduate Certificate in Geoinformatics and Certificate Programme for Professional Development of Primary Teachers.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted that responding to concerns expressed by universities offering distance education programmes, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has taken the lead and communicated to prospective employers that degree/ diploma/certificates awarded for programmes conducted by the ODL institutions should be treated a equivalent to the corresponding award of the degree/ diploma/ certificate of the traditional universities/ institutions in the country. All qualifications awarded through distance education by Universities, established by an Act of Parliament, stand automatically recognized for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government, provided they have been duly approved by the concerned regulatory bodies. MHRD has communicated this contained of recognition specifically to Railway Recruitment Board, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, Steel Authority of India Ltd, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd and NDMC Limited among others.
During this convocation, 90 gold medals were given to the students and various awards were given to meritorious candidates viz.
- Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial Gold Medal for the highest marks in the Master’s Degree Programme in the Social Sciences to Vandana Sharma, Master of Arts (Economics) .
- Dr. Abdul Kalam Award Gold Medal and Cash Award of Rs 10,000/- to Jyoti, Bachelor of Social Work.
- Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) Cash Award of Rs 25,000/- for the best IGNOU female student in any degree programme pertaining to ICT to Rupali Bindal, Master of Computer Applications.
- Mother Teresa Memorial Award ODL Gold Medal and Cash Award of Rs 10,000/- to Priyanka Khanghta, Master of Social Work .
- Prof. Grover Cash Award of Rs 5000/- for differently –abled student in Master of Commerce to Veldandi Ramchander Rao, Master of Commerce.
- Prof. Grover Cash Award of Rs 3000/- for differently –abled student in Bachelor of Commerce to Pawan Kumar Srivastava, Bachelor of Commerce .
At this convocation, an exhibition was also organized highlighting the various achievements of the university. The convocation was telecast live on DD Bharti and webcast on www.ignou.ac.in.
