Distance education is strength of nation: Prof Singh

By Our Staff Reporter
Bhopal, Mar 15:
Bhoj Open University Vice Chancellor Prof SK Singh said that the UNESCO had termed the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as the biggest university in the world due to its achievements, efforts and developments.
While addressing at the 21st convocation function of IGNOU as chief guest, Prof Singh said that education is strength of the country. Along with that it would become a source for economic and social development of the country. What is needed is to understand the necessities according to the changed situation. He said that hundreds of new regions have come up in the service sector today. Lakhs of talented persons are needed in this sector. IGNOU is doing best in this direction, he said.
Singh presented degrees to 275 students at the convocation. The main function was organised at New Delhi where the chief guest was Professor SK Joshi. Two students of Bhopal was awarded gold medal.
In his address IGNOU Regional Director Dr KS Tiwari welcomed the chief guest and students and said that IGNOU has taken initiative at different levels in MP and other states. To provide employment to unemployed youth IGNOU has started community colleges throughout the country where the students are prepared through need-based programmes. The IGNOU, after new agreement with industry sector, is giving training to the youth according to the need of different industries. More than 300 new sectors are being developed to create lakhs of employment opportunities.
Tiwari said that MP have unlimited opportunities. To make these realities the mindset should be changed. With education development the state would progress financially too. Only that maximum utility of the available resources should be done. The IGNOU is linking colleges of excellence with the of social college scheme to prepare youth to face new opportunities.
He said that there are several programmes for the uneducated rural youths. These youth can take advantage of these schemes and start own trade or business, he said.