New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is planning to start an Information Communication Technology (ICT) cluster in five South Asian countries. IGNOU has proposed the idea in order to build capacity in education sector. The University has already given a presentation outlining the details of the plan to parliamentarians of Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It was given at the first ever contact group meeting of parliamentarians on education organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Rajashekharan Pillai, IGNOU Vice Chancellor (VC) has said that IGNOU has given a presentation on developing an ICT cluster in these countries. India will lead the action and IGNOU will be the nodal body to implement and operate it. He also added that this will boost education, help in capacity building and generate education content across the region. As per sources, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told the parliamentarians of the five countries that such a cluster will help in creation of wealth, skill development and employability.
Mr Pillai said that once implemented, IGNOU will make all efforts to develop e-content, facilitate virtual class-room facility and enhance access to millions of students. From teachers training to making students get quality and contemporary education, every thing can be done efficiently. Moreover, he added that with ICT, the countries have come closer. When the region has almost the similar problem, its better to go for ICT and here India and IGNOU can lead.
According to the authorities, since, IGNOU had been doing similar work for years, developing an ICT based education cluster won't be costly. Speaking in the context of expenditure and budget, Mr Pillai mentioned that it will be cost-effective. The cost can go up by just 20-25 percent from what they are spending now. Moreover, he also added that the budget-details for the project are yet to be chalked out.
