Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has opened admissions to the January 2020 session for various programs. Dr. P. Sivaswaroop, Regional Director of IGNOU Nagpur Regional Centre addressed the Press Meet along with Dr. (Mrs.) Anjali Ramteke, IGNOU, New Delhi and Dr. Nishikant Kotwal, Adolescent Health Expert. The admissions are online and the interested can apply on IGNOU Portal https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/ . Dr. Sivaswaroop informed that the last date for admissions is 31st December 2019. The programmes on offer include courses like CBCS based BA, BCOM, BSC, MA Degree in several subjects like Psychology, Translation, Tourism etc., several IT related courses like MCA, BCA, CIT, PGDIS, Certificate in Communication and IT Skills (CCITSK) etc., Languages courses like Urdu, Functional English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German etc. For Re-registration of earlier batch students also it is Online and last date is 31st December 2019.
In order to encourage interested learners amongst SC/ST community Dr. P. Sivaswaroop said that IGNOU is giving fee exemption to SC/ST students who wish to join in Certificate, Diploma, PG Diploma, Bachelor Degree Programmes of IGNOU for January 2020 session. Willing students also have to submit online admission form for fresh admission and re-registration students have to submit offline form at the Regional Centre. Employed SC/ST candidates are not eligible for fee exemption. Total 128 programes are available for SC/ST candidates under this scheme including foreign languages, IT and vocational courses.
He stated that IGNOU starts new courses depending on need of the society.
MA in Journalism and Mass Communication MA (JMC) is a 2 years program open for any graduate. Besides theory papers there will be practicals in Print and Online Media and Audio Visual Media. In the 2nd year student has to submit project work also. It is offered in English medium and fee is Rs. 12500 per year.
Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA): Any bachelor degree holder can be trained to be a software professional through this program. It is a 1 year program of 2 semesters, with Rs. 10,800 fee per semester. It involves large number of practical sessions. Those without mathematics in 10+2, should register for BCS-012 course concurrent with PGDCA.
(Mrs.) Anjali Ramteke, Programme Coordinator for BBA (Service Management) at National level said that in India’s GDP, around 60% is contributed by Service Sector. So, there is huge scope of employment in this Service Sector. Trained Man Power is required and so IGNOU is launching this Programme. BBA (SM) is a 3 year work-based program, for any 10+2 candidates. The admission is through Entrance Test and last date to apply is 20th December 2019 through online. Qualified candidates have to attend personal interview by industry partners offering workplace for them. The student will get stipend for working which means that student earns and learns simultaneously. All the students will be provided with laptop or tablet. Fee is Rs. 20,000 per year. Dr. Anjali shared that this program is offered in collaboration with MKCL.
Nishikant Kotwal informed that in India One in four children of 13-15 age group are in depression. Suicide rate in India is 35.5 per lakh population of 15-29 age. So, to create Awareness about these issues IGNOU will be re-launching 6 months certificate course in Adolescent Health and Counselling. Present day youngsters are in volatile mood and are easily disturbed by small incidents and attempt suicide. So they need counseling by parents, teachers and doctors. This program is aimed to enhance the awareness of teachers and parents to tackle such situation with an understanding of psychology of adolescents. The admissions are open for any graduate.