Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has been ranked no. 1 in Atal Ranking of Institutions for Innovation Achievements 2021 (ARIIA 2021) by the Ministry of Education under the category of Institutes of National importance, Central Universities and centrally funded institutes (Nontechnical) for promoting innovation and start-ups in the Universities. ARIIA is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Education and AICTE to systematically rank higher educational institutions in India on indicators related to Innovation, Start-up and Entrepreneurship Development amongst students and faculty.
This year a total of 1438 institutions (including all IITs, NITs, IISc, etc.) participated in the ARIIA ranking. ARIIA-2021 classified participating institutions into two major categories; Technical and Non-technical. Under the Non-Technical category of Central Institutes, IGNOU has been ranked number 1.
IGNOU Alumni Meeting:
The IGNOU Alumni Association meeting was held in virtual mode for the Regional Centres of Nagpur, Mumbai and Panaji. The University is conducting alumni meets across the country for a cluster of Regional Centres. Dr.Shrikant Mohapatra, Director Regional Services Division IGNOU New Delhi in his address said that this is the 20th
Meeting of alumni in the last 5 months. Prof. NageshwarRao Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU informed that the IGNOU family is a mega family of 71 lakhs members which consists of 36 lakhs Alumni and 35 lakhs active students. He announced that in compliance of NEP 2020, IGNOU will be offering counseling services in 12 Regional languages (including Marathi), initially for Under Graduate Programmes. Dr. V. P. Rupam, Director Central Placement Cell said that IGNOU Alumni members registration is very easy on IGNOU website https://ignou.samarth.edu.in/index.php/alumni/registration/register and invited Alumni to register.
Alumni from RC Mumbai, RC Panaji and RC Nagpur shared their experiences in this virtual meet. Mrs. Nanda Jichkar, Former Mayor of Nagpur Municipal Corporation said that IGNOU degree has a standard and she is pleased to be Alumni of IGNOU. She said that once you complete a course then you will enjoy it. So, she advised students to complete the courses and feel that enjoyment. She suggested that more branches be added in MA Psychology.
Dr.Madhavi Khode, IAS said that the IGNOU system is very cooperative and motivates people to study and complete
the courses Ms.GunjanShakya, a visually challenged student who completed BA, MA and MBA through IGNOU said that she is very much satisfied with the IGNOU system especially meeting her special needs. Now she is a Bank
Manager.
Ms.Jayalakshmi, an international Archer and medal winner at Asiad and World Championship said that in spite
of her hectic training schedules, she could complete BPP then BCOM, MPA because of the excellent system of IGNOU.
Mr. Rahul Chaure, who did BA Psychology from IGNOU Nagpur completed MS in London and now pursuing a PhD in Queen Mary University UK. He said that IGNOU courses are an excellent mix of theory and practical which is on par with any international standard. Father George Bosco a 65 years church father said that support from the local level is very essential for people like him in studies.
He acknowledges that the Regional Centre provides the needed support in an excellent manner. The Father of Mr. Shakti Mehta a MA Psychology graduate and with down syndrome stated that IGNOU is an inclusive University and provides education to all the differently-abled people with special provisions.
Mrs. Renu Rana said that she had severe health problems but the IGNOU system helped her to complete one PG and now pursuing 2 nd PG. Dr.Kavita Gupta Nutritionist said that due to family responsibilities she could not do PG in regular college. In IGNOU she completed MSCDFSM then PhD and is now an established nutritionist and nutrition educator.
She expressed her happiness at the support she received from the Study Centre and Regional Centre. Mr. Mohammad
Ozair Farooqui who was Gold Medalist in Post Graduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry said that he was passionate in analytical chemistry so did this course and achieved a gold medal.
IGNOU Admissions:
IGNOU Admissions for January 2022 session are open for 220 Programmes. The online admission portal is
https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/index.php/site/index. Last date to apply is 31 st January 2022. The Re-
registration for January 2022 session is also online on https://onlinerr.ignou.ac.in/ and the last date is 15 th Januar 2022 IGNOU offers Fee Exemption for SC ST students in 55 Program and details are available on the website
ignou.ac.in
