IGNOU likely to continue its operations in 9 centres abroad

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will soon continue its operations in 9 centres abroad and start fresh enrollment of international students. Due to legal complications IGNOU had to withdraw the facilities across 84 countries two years ago.

The university suddenly stopped admissions at its Overseas Studies Centres (OSCs) due to legal issues after host nation's objected to its direct agreements with the foreign institutes. Earlier the varsity had its centres in 84 countries and the number of centres were reduced to 29 due to administrative hassles.

However, IGNOU had been facilitating classes, end-term examination and other processes for the students who were enrolled prior to 2013. "We have sent a proposal to the HRD ministry and it is in the advanced stage. We are likely to get an approval for 9 study centres abroad including those in Gulf, South Asian and African countries from January 2016 cycle," IGNOU Vice Chancellor Nageshwar Rao said.

"We have had our centres in 84 countries but there were certain legal deformities because of which we had to discontinue it in 2013. Earlier we used to have an MoU with the partner institutions in the respective countries but the same was not routed through embassies or government channels," he added.

"At present there are around 40,000 international students and there is a huge demand, hence there was a lot of pressure to work this out. Now governments of both the countries will be involved. Earlier a few governments had objections that we were entering their territory without clearance so now that problem will be sorted out," he added.

Apart from offering the academic programmes the varsity has also given copyright or permission to many foreign institutions to adapt, adopt and use its learning materials.