Associate degree programmes to be launch by IGNOU

IGNOU the biggest open university of the world will offer two-year associate degree programmes for various streams at their registered college. According to Vice Chancellor of IGNOU Mr. V N Rajsekharan Pillai, academic council is scheduled to meet on 29 of June for approval initiative. Formal launch of the said programme would be in the month of July by HRD minister, Mr. Pillai added.

Under the associate degree programme the respective community colleges will conduct the course and IGNOU will conduct the examination and award certificates, said Latha Pillai, pro-vice chancellor, IGNOU. Registration of the community college with IGNOU is mandatory to offer the associate degree programme; IGNOU will not affiliate any community college.

"The IGNOU will not affiliate any of the community colleges. However, it will be mandatory for community colleges to register with the IGNOU if they want to offer the associate degree programmes," she said. At present, 100 community colleges in the country had registered with the IGNOU for the programme. In Tamil Nadu, the Madurai Community College is the first among the 115 community colleges to register with the IGNOU.