Sham Inaugurates IGNOU Study Centre at GDC Akhnoor

   Â In an attempt to provide education at the   doorsteps of students in the rural and far-flung   areas, the IGNOU today established its Study   Centre at Degree College Akhnoor, near here   today.
    The Centre was formally inaugurated by the   Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture,   Sham Lal Sharma.
Regional Director IGNOU, Jammu Dr. K.K.Bhat, Principal Degree College, Akhnoor Dr. Kaushal Samotra, Mission Director, NRHM Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Chief Medical Officer, Jammu Dr. Baldev Sharma, officers of higher education, prominent citizens and large number of college teachers and students were present on the occasion.  
Appreciating the gesture of IGNOU for setting up Study Centre in this border town, the Minister said that thousands of aspirants, especially those who cannot afford to join colleges and regular studies will avail the benefits of the facility. He dwelt on quality of education so that the students after obtaining the degrees can compete at various levels to secure jobs. He asked the university authorities to pay special attention towards improving the quality and start the job oriented courses for the rural students.

Taking advantage of the occasion, the Minister reiterated that time has come to revisit the present education policy in view of the changed trends world over. He said present set up of education envisages only securing percentage and improving the literacy rate, but basic concept of education is missing somewhere, consequently the moral ethics and quality of education has eroded tremendously. He said Jammu and Kashmir State has very limited Government jobs and its economic position is not so good, and in view of all this, we have to introduce some education set up and making mandatory some fields like agriculture, floriculture, horticulture, which can transform the fortune of students after completion of their formal studies. He said basic concept needs some changes and suggested that students’ brain mapping tests should be conducted before pushing them to any specific streams for achieving excellence, he asserted.

Taking serious note of poor results in some schools, the Minister said that professional audit at the analogy of health department should be introduced in education department to gauge the performance of individual teacher. This, he said would ensure accountability and definitely improve the results. He asked the teachers to redouble their efforts to improve the results and focus on quality and value based education.
The Regional Director in his address informed that IGNOU has established 125 Study Centres in Jammu and Kashmir to promote distance education and to facilitate those candidates who, due to certain reasons cannot afford regular studies. He said IGNOU has spread its network world over and over 3.5 million students are pursuing different courses in over 2600 Centres. He said aim of establishing the Study Centres at different places is to provide opportunities of higher education to the students at their doorsteps. He said some more Centres will be opened for the benefits of students in Akhnoor. He informed that initially two graduate courses have been started for which over 50 students have been enrolled. Later, more courses will be introduced as per demand of the students, he added.
Principal GDC, Akhnoor briefed about the activities of the college and informed that more than 1200 students have sought admissions in different courses. She requested for creating more accommodation and improving college premises in view of increased number of students.
Earlier, Prof. Sanjay Kotwal, Co-ordinator of this newly established IGNOU Study Centre at College, introduced the audience about the centre. Prof. Shivani Manchanda conducted the proceedings of programme whereas Prof. Kuldeep Raj Sharma presented formal vote of thanks.