IGNOU offer engineering courses

[Rahul45]

With over 10 lakh students registering for the AIEEE in 2009, up from 8.62 lakh in 2008, it may not be possible for all to get a seat in existing engineering colleges. Keeping the shortage of seats in mind, Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has collaborated with Chennai-based Sri Angala Parameshwari Education Trust (SAPET) to offer certificate, diploma and degree programmes in various engineering branches including, civil, mechanical, electrical engineering, electronics and communication technologies and computer science.

The programmes, which will commence from January 2010, will help students who have completed their class XII with physics, chemistry and mathematics (PCM) and are interested to pursue engineering but have not got opportunity to study in the conventional institutes or engineering colleges.

The diploma holders in engineering subjects will also be given lateral entry to the third-year in any engineering disciplines.

"The new programmes will also help bright students who fail to get admission into engineering colleges due to weak socio-economic conditions or lack of awareness or non-availability of higher technical institutions in areas they live,'' said Latha Pillai, pro-vice chancellor, Ignou.

According to SAPET officials, the programmes will follow the need-based assessments of the industry, profession and service sectors. Adviser to the SAPET, Premendra Raj Mehta said: "The programmes and their courses will be prepared according to the needs and demands from the industry. Students can enter at different levels and credits will be offered to them from what they already studied. The programmes will offer four levels of entries out of six years. Students can enter after passing out class X, the ITI exams, class XII, acquiring a multiple diplomas and also B Sc degree. The programmes are being restructured offering vertical mobility.''