After the formation of the third district, Kushavati, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou), Goa regional centre, has decided to open its eighth study centre at Govt College Quepem. Until now, the students from Canacona, Sanguem and Quepem talukas had to travel to the study centre in Margao and for arts programmes, they had to travel for guidance as far as the Panaji study centre. There was no study centre yet serving this rural area with a significant ST population.
Goa regional centre director, G Shrinivas, said that the new study centre at Quepem college will be made operational by the July admission session.
“It will provide students from the new district weekend counselling on their academic programmes, admission assistance and take submission of assignments. Students will also be able to do their practicals,” Shrinivas said.
He said Ignou, the only open university established by passing of an act in the Parliament, has two admission sessions during a year: the first in Jan and the second in July.
“The time for admissions for the Jan session has been extended and students can seek admissions till Feb 28.
Admissions are to be carried out online by all students through the Samarth portal. Once the study centre becomes operational at the Quepem college, the students will be able to get guidance on which course is best suited for them as per their education, ability and interest,” said Shrinivas.
He said across Goa, 5,000-6,000 new students register for Ignou programmes in a year, and students mainly turn to Ignou for postgraduate programmes as there are limited full-time PG seats available. Ignou programmes offer students flexibility and are therefore preferred as they allow students to pursue higher education while joining the workforce.
