It was a proud moment for 215,000 students across the country and abroad who were conferred their degrees at the 22nd convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) earlier this month. 44,926 students received their Bachelor's degree, 20,775 Master's degree, 59,042 diplomas and 90,618 certificates. The University awarded gold medals to 78 students across India and abroad of which seven were international students. Two students were from Saudi Arabia, two from Dubai, two from Ethiopia and one from Nepal centers. Riaz Mulla from Educational Consulting & Guidance Center, Saudi Arabia also received appreciation award for the excellent Student Support Service on the occasion of 22nd convocation held in New Delhi. In a video conference with graduating students, Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for HRD said that “he hopes to see the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of Indian students in higher education shoot up to 30 percent by 2020.” I am looking forward to the enrolment going up to 40 – 45 million” said Sibal. Currently, the figure is a dismal 13 percent, which happens to be 10 percent below the world average. Echoing the views of the minister, IGNOU Vice Chancellor, Professor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai threw light on the initiatives taken by the university to increase the national GER. Stressing upon the need to impart vocational skills to those in the remotest; IGNOU is aiming to create 500 million certified technicians and skilled workers by 2020. The university is already networking with regional and study centers, local educational and training institutions to provide modular skills in different trades for this. The occasion was graced by eminent scientist and former IGNOU V.C. Prof. P.T. Manoharan. He delivered the guest of honor address and emphasized upon the need for science education in developing economies. Science graduates can think of opting for research as a career. This is a field where India still lacks human resources. Two students from ECGS Saudi Arabia received Gold Medals for MA in English and BA in English programs. IGNOU Saudi Arabia wins its fifth consecutive gold medal for MA in English. The student Alia Hamid Ali, the gold medalist is presently working as a teacher in Al-Waha International School Jeddah. It is her 2nd gold medal from IGNOU. She received a gold medal for BA in 2008. Alia is an ex-student of International Indian School Jeddah – IISJ. The other student Amina Nooriya Vayal Parambath received a Gold Medal for BA in English. She is an ex-student of International Indian School Riyadh – IISR (2007 batch). This achievement was possible because of the hard work and perseverance of the students as well as the cooperation and encouragement from the staff, faculty members from IGNOU Saudi Arabia, support from the International Division, IGNOU New Delhi and the Indian Mission in KSA. IGNOU Saudi Arabia within seven years span of time in the Kingdom has proved its credentials by students receiving nine gold medals, out of which five consecutive gold medals for MA in English, two for BA and one for Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Management. Last year the ECGS center also received a gold medal for best international center among 40 countries.
