The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) recently announced that the dual education including students who are already pursuing a degree at another university, can also enroll in another study program from IGNOU in an online and distance learning (ODL) mode. The university made the decision in its 78th academic council meeting and this provision will be implemented for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. However, the courses that fall under the purview of regulatory bodies such as the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE) and the Indian Nursing Council (INC) are not included in the dual degree program.
In conversation with Education Times, Nageshwar Rao, vice chancellor, IGNOU: “We introduced the dual degree program to broaden the study options for students and increase enrollment. Offering a dual degree program allows students to think beyond their conventional chosen stream. For example, every student who follows a Science program at another university can follow a Business Administration program from IGNOU in an open and distance learning (ODL) mode. This decision to introduce a dual degree program is a step towards a multidisciplinary approach to education, one of the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. Students will be innovative and broadly informed in their approach as they move beyond one discipline by simultaneously pursuing dual training in another course important to their overall holistic development. The knowledge about two different streams will broaden career opportunities for students and increase their employability. In the current times, the labor market requires professionals with varied knowledge and therefore an extra PG or a RUG diploma will be beneficial for the students.”
“However, technical courses that fall under regulatory bodies such as AICTE, NCTE and INC are not included in the dual program,” says Rao.
“We have introduced a dual degree program in accordance with the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC),” adds Rao.
In conversation with Education Times, Nageshwar Rao, vice chancellor, IGNOU: “We introduced the dual degree program to broaden the study options for students and increase enrollment. Offering a dual degree program allows students to think beyond their conventional chosen stream. For example, every student who follows a Science program at another university can follow a Business Administration program from IGNOU in an open and distance learning (ODL) mode. This decision to introduce a dual degree program is a step towards a multidisciplinary approach to education, one of the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. Students will be innovative and broadly informed in their approach as they move beyond one discipline by simultaneously pursuing dual training in another course important to their overall holistic development. The knowledge about two different streams will broaden career opportunities for students and increase their employability. In the current times, the labor market requires professionals with varied knowledge and therefore an extra PG or a RUG diploma will be beneficial for the students.”
“However, technical courses that fall under regulatory bodies such as AICTE, NCTE and INC are not included in the dual program,” says Rao.
“We have introduced a dual degree program in accordance with the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC),” adds Rao.