Srinagar, Sep 5: The Vice-Chancellor of University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad on Monday asserted that collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) would be looked into so that students from JK get all the benefits.  
 Addressing students on 24th convocation of IGNOU, Prof Talat said KU is going to open three more campuses in Kargil, Kupwara and Leh.
 “We are in the process of collaboration with Delhi University. We can see where we can collaborate with IGNOU that can benefit the students from JK,” he said.
 He congratulated the recipients of awards saying they should do something for state and the country. “Kashmir University will support IGNOU’s growth and all activities. We are in the process of opening three more campuses in Leh, Kargil and Kupwara. We can even support them in Leh and Kargil,” he said while awarding degrees to students.
 Thanking Prof Talat for his initiative, Regional Director IGNOU Dr Nurul Hassan informed that they provide quality education in all parts of the country at an affordable prize with all the facilities. “We provide education through varied means. The use of Information and Communication technology in our program is paradigm in education. The challenge is to create multi-disciplinary learning,” he said. “IGNOU is the largest distance University in the world’.
 “Open and distance learning is the best to bridge knowledge divide. We are providing quality education. Around 36 centers are in the valley with a separate centre for jail inmates at central jail Srinagar,” he said.
 Pertinently, IGNOU had organized its main function in New Delhi where Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was conferred with an honorary doctor of letters degree. The IGNOU has around 36 education centers in the valley.
 Asking to link education with skills, Director SK Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura stated that there is a dire need of value based system education.
 He appreciated the efforts of the varsity by providing education in cut off areas such as Karnah and Tanghdar.
 “We have to link education with skills. University should not give certificates only but link degrees with skills. It is the job of universities and colleges to give value based education,” he said while congratulating the students for their success.
 He regretted for lack of investment in open mode of education. “Investment is distance form of education is very less when Government is pumping huge amount of money in formal education,” he said.
 “Knowledge is the greatest asset to bring change in the society. But we should promote the skills of youths rather than depend on class room teaching.”

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST