Indira Ghandi National Open University offers multiple paths to learning

Heller Report on Educational Technology Markets, Oct, 1999

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU; New Delhi) is a leader in open and distance education in India and one of the largest of a growing number of mega universities of the world. IGNOU has over 500,000 students, served by 403 study centers, 21 partner institutions and 21 regional centers across the country.

In addition to delivering academic programs to learners at a distance, the University serves an important role as a national resource for India's Open University Network and also plays an international role. India has nine State Open Universities, offering 171 academic programs consisting of over 1,000 courses. In addition there are 58 correspondence course institutes attached to conventional universities offering 400 programs consisting of 1,200 courses. IGNOU supports the initiatives of the Open State Universities and correspondence courses by functioning as a national resource center for open and distance learning. It provides leadership in:

-- designing and developing education and training programs;

-- establishing delivery systems;

-- producing multimedia learning packages;

-- developing educational technologies;

-- training distance educators; and

-- planning and managing the distance education system.

The University has also entered into partnership agreements with institutions and agencies outside India to provide knowledge, products and services to students, especially non-resident Indians. These partnerships are largely in the Middle East, as well as the Seychelles. Overseas enrollments are accepted from Bangladesh, Ghana, Mauritius, St. Kitts and Nevis, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Solomon Islands, Guyana, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, Zimbabwe and Gambia.

IGNOU designs, develops and produces self-instructional multimedia materials in response to the educational needs of its target audience. It delivers its instructional materials through a highly specialized multi channel operation -- directly to learners, through its network of resource centers and through extension activities. Hands on and face-to-face activities are conducted at IGNOUs network of study/work centers, multimedia learning centers and local organizations and partner institutions.

Concerned with issue of access, cost effectiveness and equity, IGNOU employs a wide variety of instructional methodologies including:

-- printed materials

-- audio/video cassettes

-- CD-ROMs

-- teleconferencing

-- radio and TV broadcasts

-- lab practicals including face-to-face teaching at designated sites

-- field projects

-- online teaching and counseling via the Internet

-- contact and counseling sessions at Study/Work Centers.

Evaluation procedures focus on formative and summative assessments, including grading of assignments and term-end examinations.

Virtual Campus

IGNOU has recently taken the first step in setting up a virtual campus with the launch of the Bachelor of Information Technology in cooperation with the Edexcel Foundation of the UK. Edexcel will contribute approximately $1 million (US$) toward the development of course materials. IGNOU will set up telelearning centers with state-of-the-art infrastructure for program delivery. The emphasis will be on enabling students to independently access learning resources and participate in synchronous and asynchronous interaction. The components of the curriculum include live satellite-based teleconferencing lectures, recorded lectures, practical laboratories, CBT, Internet learning resources, and online chat groups including students, faculty and external experts.

The degree program would initially be offered to students in India. After the initial period, the University intends to target foreign students by delivering the program in other countries.