JEDDAH, 3 March 2004 — The growing popularity of long-distance education was the focus at the opening of the Indira Gandhi National Open University center here on Wednesday night.
Indian Consul General Syed Akbaruddin said the center would “facilitate a great deal for students who want to enhance their qualifications from home.”
The opening was held at the IGNOU stand at the Middle East Education & Training Exhibition and Symposium here.
New Delhi-based IGNOU, which has started operations in Jeddah and Riyadh, is said to be the second largest open university in the world.
Established in 1985, it has its own website and caters to nearly a million students through a network of about 50 regional centers and over 1,000 study centers. Its Saudi offices are at ATEICO Communications on Jeddah’s Sitteen Street and in Riyadh on Oruba Street.
The university prides itself on a learner-centered system, affordability, and up-to date technology. “There has already been a tremendous response from students in this part of the world, as students can earn their degrees from home,” said Riaz Mulla, general manager of ATEICO Communications, which conducts IGNOU courses.
Aside from its MBA, B.Ed., BCA, B.Com. and BA, IGNOU recently introduced courses in health and computer sciences. Included in health sciences are a B.Sc. in nursing and postgraduate diplomas in maternal and child health, and in hospital and health management. In computing IGNOU offers certificates and a bachelor and masters in computer applications. The IGNOU centers can be contacted by phones: 667-1500 in Jeddah and 215-3537 in Riyadh.
