IGNOU awards research fellowships
19 April, 2012
The research activities of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) received a major impetus recently, when the University conferred IGNOU Research Fellowships to young scholars pursuing doctoral studies in various disciplines at the university.
The IGNOU-RF scheme is an initiative of the university to provide financial assistance to doctoral students and thereby encouraging them in their research efforts. The university has announced 100 fellowships under the scheme at the rate of Rs.5000 per month. In the maiden selection, 15 researchers received the award after rigorous screening by an expert committee constituted for the purpose.
Along with the fellowships, the extension letters of Research and Teaching Assistants (RTAs) and their upgrading as Senior RTAs were also announced. The awards were distributed to the recipients at a ceremony organised in the conference room of the Vice Chancellor’s office.
While delivering his speech, Prof. M. Aslam, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU said that the IGNOU-RF award was a modest beginning in motivating young people to engage in research. Explaining the structural and operational aspects of both the schemes, he congratulated all the scholars on their successful achievement.
Prof. R. G. Takwale, former VC of the university advised researchers to focus on innovative research. He added that the university needed to participate meaningfully in developmental efforts of the country and at the same time delineate a road map for research.
Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), Prof. P. Prakash lauded the efforts of the university in serving the cause of distance education. Mr. C. R. Pillai, Former Director, Academic Coordination Division, IGNOU, drew the attention towards the fact that distance education was inherent in any research since every researcher largely worked independently and consulted the research supervisor from time to time. Hence, research essentially may be viewed as the starting point of distance education.
The function was attended by Directors of schools and research programme coordinators of various concerned disciplines. The awardees expressed satisfaction and gratitude for the financial support and encouragement given by the Chair to them in pursuing research.
The function concluded with a word of thanks by the Director, Research Unit to all the invitees.
