New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is the world's largest university, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). As per sources, UNESCO has mentioned this in its website - IGNOU is the largest university in the world. Almost three million students in India and 33 other countries study at IGNOU, which is also India's National Resource Center for Open and Distance Learning and a world leader in distance education.
Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General said that with the enrollment of nearly three million students and networks across the country, making the best use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), IGNOU's accomplishment are recognized worldwide. According to the UNESCO website, with the launch of EduSat (a satellite dedicated to education) in 2004, and the establishment of the Inter-University Consortium, IGNOU has ushered in a new era of technology- enabled education.
IGNOU, through its 21 schools of study, 59 regional centers, 2,300 learner support centers and some 52 overseas centers, offers certificate, diploma, degree and doctoral programmes, comprising of around 1,500 courses. IGNOU's staff consist of 380 faculty members and academic staff in headquarters and regional centers, while some 36,000 counselors from conventional institutions of higher learning and professionals from different spheres.
Further, the university also provides access to sustainable and learner-centered education and training to all through quality, innovative and needs-based programmes at affordable costs, thus reaching out to the disadvantaged and also promotes, coordinates and regulates the standards of education offered through open and distance learning in India.
