Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Nagpur Regional Centre is making efforts in spreading education message to unreached sections of the society. Dr. P. Sivaswaroop gave details about recent initiatives in this regard in a Press Meet. Dr. Suresh Umare, Head, Department of Chemistry, VNIT also present in the Press Meet. Dr. Sivaswaroop said that IGNOU Admissions for January 2019 Session are going on. Last date to apply is 15th January 2019. Desired candidates have to register online on the IGNOU website www.ignou.ac.in Every candidate has to pay the fees also Online. For the benefit of students not having access to Internet, MOU was made with CSRCs to help such candidates. For SC/ST candidates, fees will be reimbursed for BPP, BA, B.Com and B.Sc. programmes.
Dr. Sivaswaroop informed that as part of its continuing tradition to bring in more variety of programmes to the local people, a new programme, PG Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health will be on offer from January 2019 session. In today’s time of environment concern for every citizen, this new programme gives a comprehensive idea of environment and occupational hazards, the toxicological issues, the Environment laws, the occupational health safety, Agriculture, live stock pollution, industrial pollution etc. Any graduate with 10+2 in Science is eligible for this 1 year PG Diploma. Fee is Rs. 6600.
He further said that as part of its “Reaching the Unreached” activities through “Gyan Ganga” initiative, Nagpur Regional Centre has organized Awareness Meetings at Korchi and Nandali villages in Gadchiroli District. Regional Director Dr. P. Sivaswaroop, Dr. Shyam Koreti, Assistant Coordinator, IGNOU Study Centre 1607, Gurunanak Bhawan, Nagpur addressed the students of Vanashri Arts and Science College, Korchi along with the Principal Dr. Nimsarkar. The students are advised that in order to compete in the outside world they should update their knowledge, skills by acquiring additional certificates through IGNOU. They are also advised to encourage their family members and neighbors also to study through open universities like YCMOU and IGNOU.
Later the team visited Nandali village. A village of 140 families with no bus facility and no mobile coverage. Dr. Sivaswaroop addressed that due to their geographical isolation if they have a un-cherished desire of acquiring higher education, now they can use IGNOU services to fulfill the desire. The IGNOU’s Gyan Ganga starts from Delhi, passes through Nagpur and reaches Nandali village, he said. Dr. Shyam Koreti addressed them in Gondi language and advised them to study further. Smt. Gauri Uikey, gave examples of Kurkheda and Korchi taluka tribals who are already studying in IGNOU. She referred about 65 years old tribal lady who gave Bachelors Preparatory Programme Exam in December 2018 at Kurkheda exam center. Dr. Nimsarkar also addressed them.
Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored 3 Days Residential Camp at VNIT, Nagpur for Tribal, ZP and Corporation School Children was held recently. Giving the details about the Camp, Dr. Suresh Umare, informed that it is a Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored Programme jointly organized by IGNOU Nagpur Regional Centre, Chemistry Department of VNIT, Nagpur and Saraswati Vidyalaya. Efforts have been made for the last 4 months, to mobilize 70 students of 9th Class (One Boy and One Girl from each School). Students from Bhamragarh (Gadchiroli) and other Tribal Schools, ZP Schools in Nagpur District and Municipal Corporation Schools in Nagpur City participated. It is a Life Time Experience for them to enter VNIT Campus and stay in the Hostels and taste the Life of a Campus Hostel. Moreover, to do Chemistry Practicals with their own Hands! Experts came from Bangalore, Pune and the students are given some lectures and they did Chemistry Practicals in the Chemistry labs of VNIT. Inaugural Session was addressed by Dr. Amit Mazumdar, Former Director, Atomic Mineral Division Nagpur and Prof Padole, Director, VNIT. Shri. Mukul Kanitkar ji, National Organising Secretary, Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal was the Chief Guest for Valedictory Session. He spoke on the difference between Information and Knowledge. Prof. Suresh Umare, HOD, Chemistry Department of VNIT and Shri. Prabhuraman, Head Master of Saraswati Vidyalaya, Ms. Bhakti from RSC (India Chapter) Bengaluru and Dr. P. Sivaswaroop have worked as a Team for providing this Unique Experience to these Children.
