IGNOU, Haryana govt. open Community College
15 June, 2010
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has joined hands with the Haryana Government to launch the Haryana-IGNOU Community College in Manesar.
Haryana Chief Minister Shri Bhupinder Singh Hooda inaugurated the Harayana-IGNOU Community College, Institute for Competency Advancement of Teachers (i-CAT) and a new teaching block at Government Polytechnic, Manesar on June 17.
“Haryana has seen immense growth in the number of polytechnics. The efficiency of both teachers and students are imperative for the state’s growth. We must ensure this type of mutual benefits arising from education so that the students get employment,” Hooda said.
He also stressed on starting paramedical vocational programmes in the community college.
“We started the Community College Scheme under a public initiative to chalk out a programme for skill development in the country. It is an autonomous society created by the University to provide vocational education, skill upgradation and training, which will help the country answer the problem of skill deficit,” said Prof Vice Chancellor Prof V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai.
Under this collaboration, five programmes have been launched initially – Diploma in BPO, Finance & Accounting, Fire Safety, Security Management, Front Office Management and Housekeeping. These are tailor-made courses that are already certified by IGNOU.
Another 20 new programmes will soon be launched on security, automobile repair, fabrication, electrical, electronics, information and communication technology, printing, garments, fire safety management, water harvesting management, tourism and hotel management, foreign language (Spanish and French), paralegal, beautician, creative writing and communication skills, construction design, transport management and conductor training, and retailing management among others.
The basic aim of introducing community colleges in a state is to increase the professional capacity of higher secondary school teachers, college teachers, ITI, polytechnic, engineering college, community college and vocational college teachers.
The inaugural function was organised under the joint venture of the Government of Haryana and IGNOU, in the presence of Mahender Partap Singh, Revenue and Technical Education Minister, Haryana; Rao Inderjeet Singh, MP, Gurgaon; Sukhbir Kataria, Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Agriculture & Cooperation; Rao Dharam Pal, MLA, Badshahpur; Dharambir Singh, MLA, Sohna; P.C. Meena, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon; Dr Avtar Singh, IAS, DG Technical Education, Haryana; and Ajit M. Sharan, IAS, Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary to Govt. of Haryana, Technical Education Department.