Over 1.9 lakh degrees awarded at IGNOU convocation

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates to 1,92,000 students at its 28th convocation.
The credentials awarded at the convocation included 98 PhD degrees, 25 MPhil degrees, 47,198 Master's Degree, 75,305 Bachelors Degree, 51,253 Diplomas and 17,939 certificates.
The figures, however, have gone down as against last year's when 2.3 lakh students were awarded the degrees and diplomas.
The convocation ceremony was telecast live for the very first time on DD Bharti from the varsity's Convention Centre.
"In contrast to the conventional ones, I believe that open distance learning system-ODL has been observing far greater responsibilities in terms of educating, skilling and providing a sense of discipline and professionalism to a large number of learners," former UGC Chairman Hari Gautam, said in his convocation address.

"New education demands new understanding. Time has now come that we cast our apprehensions and inhibitions and place ODL system at same pedestal as practiced at the conventional universities," Gautam who is currently the President, Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Science and Technology, said.
IGNOU Vice Chancellor Nageshwar Rao presented an annual report of the varsity's achievements and new initiatives taken during the period.