IGNOU celebrated its 31st Foundation Day on November 19, 2016
22 November, 2016Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) celebrated its 31st Foundation Day on November 19, 2016. To mark the occasion, a series of activities were organized including a Foundation Lecture, inauguration of a Science Centre and renaming of important centres of the University.
Prof. Ravindra Kumar, Vice Chancellor (I/c) paid floral tributes to Smt. Indira Gandhi on her statue and this was followed by a campus walk participated by large number of teachers, staff and learners. A Science Centre established in collaboration with Agastya Foundation, an NGO was inaugurated to inculcate a scientific temper among the children of faculty, staff and underprivileged children living in the vicinity.
To acknowledge the contribution of eminent personalities, three important centres of the university were dedicated to them. The erstwhile Distance Education Council (DEC) building was named Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Bhawan, the University library building was dedicated to the memory of founder Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, Prof. G. Ram Reddy Bhawan and the University Convention Centre was renamed as Babasaheb Dr. Bshim Rao Ambedkar Sabhagar.
Prof. Ravindra Kumar in his address took an overview of the contribution of the University in distance education as well as in open learning and shared how the University has emerged as a premier institution during past three decades and evolved over the period. He also shared his experience at the recently concluded three-day conclave of the Hon’ble President of India attended by 126 Vice Chancellors in which the important contribution of IGNOU was acknowledged in technology enabled education.
The Foundation day lecture on the topic, ‘Ethics and Values in Governance’ was delivered by Shri Vivek Mehrotra, Retd Secretary Ministry of Minority Affairs. He made a distinction between ethics, values and morals and drawing upon his vast experience in various capacities stressed the need for developing a code of ethics and its effective implementation for minimizing corruption in public life.
To commemorate the occasion, a compilation of Indian Research Abstracts in Disability Studies and IGNOU brochure in accessible format in sign languages were also released.
