Port Blair, Feb 19: The 33rd Convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was held on Monday, 17th February 2020. The Member of Parliament, A & N Islands, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma was the Guest of Honour for the Convocation Function at IGNOU Regional Centre, Port Blair.
The function was held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Auditorium, near Municipal Council, Port Blair. The B.A, music students of ANCOL, the students of KV-1 was sang the welcome song and The KV-1- students band with musical instruments was received the Chief Guest to the dias.
The live telecast in Gyandarshan-2 TV channel (under Doordarshan bouquet as free-to-air channel) was viewed by the audience through big projector. Nearly 100 students received their degrees and diplomas from the Guest of Honour. The cloth bag with IGNOU logo was distributed to students as well as guests. In the Convocation function, the Coordinators, Assistant Coordinators, Staff from IGNOU Study Centres, Academic Counsellors, and general public were present.
The Guest of Honour Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma emphasized to create awareness about tourism studies, Fisheries Science, Forest Management courses for the benefit of Islanders to promote employment. As the undersea cable is to be activated very soon, the demand for short term courses for BPO, MNC will increase very shortly. He emphasized the importance of foreign language skill to connect to the 7 neighboring countries of A & N islands as the existing airport is converted into an international airport which increases further cooperation. He also requested IGNOU to organize Carrier Guidance programme for job seekers of the Island.
The Commanding Officer Col. Prasant Nair, SM, VSM has participated in the Convocation function along with Sub. Maj. S. Nanda, about 50 student cadets from the Army Unit 172 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (TA), Brichgunj, Port Blair in Army uniform. The Regional Director has conveyed special thanks to the Commanding Officer for educating a significant size of the Army unit in a short period. In the Regional Director Report, Dr.S. Ganesan has highlighted the various activities and achievements of the Regional Centre during last one year. He has reported good amount of growth in admission as well as number of students appearing in the exam in the last one year.