JEDDAH, 13 May 2008 — The Consulate General of India in Jeddah is continuing its search for a new location that will allow greater space for growing community activities.

“We are looking for a better and bigger space to meet our growing community activities,” Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed said, while speaking as the chief guest at the second graduation ceremony of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at the consulate on Sunday night.

“The existing location provides inadequate space for competitive examinations and community activities, which are growing in number. This is another reason why the consulate is not able to support other institutions that are eager to have their presence here,” he said.

“The consulate is also moving forward to equalize IGNOU degrees and certificates locally. These degrees need to be recognized on par with their local counterparts, as they have been recognized elsewhere in the world,” the consul general said, adding that he hopes the consulate’s efforts will soon bear fruit.

Local IGNOU students have proved that there is no age limit for learning, Dr. Sayeed said. He further congratulated ATEICO Communications General Manager and IGNOU Saudi Arabia Director Riaz Mulla for his pioneering role in making India’s prestigious institution popular here.

Mulla said 70 students had graduated from IGNOU Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row, including gold medalists Sajida Fakhri with an MA in English and Alia Hameed Ali for her BA degree.

Graduates include 25 students in business management, two in masters, 21 in bachelor of education, nine in bachelor of commerce, 10 in bachelor of arts, two in bachelor of tourism studies (BTS) and one in a diploma in child education.

“Now, students can seek admission in year-round academic programs of IGNOU Saudi Arabia offered in January and July cycles,” Mulla said.

Sajida Fakhri, who is also a teacher, said that IGNOU had given a hope for many housewives like her who had an ambition to pursue higher studies.

Dr. Adil Bushnak, chairman of the Bushnak Group, presented mementos to the medal winners. The consul general congratulated the new graduates and presented medals, degrees, diplomas and certificates to them.