JEDDAH, 23 May 2007 — Distance learning is now recognized and accepted as an indispensable part of the mainstream education system, according to a top Indian educationist. “Open and distance learning is fast developing as a force contributing to social and economic development,” V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, vice chancellor of the New Delhi-based Indira Gandhi Open National University (IGNOU), told Arab News in an interview.
“Open and distance learning play a decisive role in the creation of global knowledge-based society,” he said, adding that an increasing number of traditional universities are rapidly transforming themselves from single-mode to dual-mode universities.
Conventional teaching methods are being supplemented with ICT-enabled learning systems all over the world. “The open and distance learning system has significant pedagogical, organizational and economic implications. In the knowledge-intensive interdependent and internationalized context of education, an institution like IGNOU has immense potential,” said Pillai, who was recently here to preside over IGNOU’s first overseas convocation where two local toppers received gold medals.
It is widely realized that in the active career of every individual, there is a need to increase knowledge, particularly in the professional and vocational spheres. Therefore, there is a need for continuous and life-long learning. “To meet these emerging needs, universities like IGNOU have established schools to continue education,” he said.
The IGNOU-run school’s emphasis is sustainable development with a focus on the changing scenario of the country, which includes amelioration of rural poverty and development of women and children. The school has addressed several areas of concern such as rural development, woman and child development, disability, youth in development work, nutrition and dietetics, HIV and family education, journalism and mass communication, audio production, management and social work. Many of these programs can be conducted in collaboration with other schools and centers.
In today’s trend toward globalization and increasing competition among students, teachers and workers, there is an urgent need for capacity-building programs for them.
“We are considering new capacity building programs for students and teachers, the idea being to enhance their capacity whether for learning, teaching or school administration. Leadership programs are also being considered,” he said, adding, “We are also considering specific courses for lower-level technical, construction and factory workers to help them enhance their skills through certificate or diploma programs.”
These are hands-on training offered at their workplaces with the cooperation of their owners or managers. “A person may be working on a lathe machine but may not know the principles behind the way the machine works. The idea of the program we are considering is to meet such requirements and make the worker more skillful,” he said.
“Such programs could be conducted initially through distance learning by sending them reading and audiovisual material, and then making them more skillful at their workplaces with utmost emphasis on safety aspects through practical experience,” Pillai said, adding, “We are also extending online facilities for all of our students from July this year. The move is to increasingly use technology into teaching-learning, skill development and capacity building in a systematic way.”
Region-specific vocational education and training programs meant to enhance the knowledge base of our education and training programs for workers in all sectors is one of the main agendas in the coming years. “The use of Internet-based, multimedia technologies and high-instructional study materials have paved the way for the success of IGNOU, which today serves the educational aspirations of about 1.5 million students in 35 countries including Saudi Arabia,” he said.