IGNOU provides valuable education to a wide spectrum of people across the globe. It was a unique concept in india when it was established in 1985, the first convocation being held in 1989. People working in different professions across white collar/blue collar platforms are able to exercise equal rights in getting educated, by adding on to their existing qualifications and obtaining higher qualifications professional or otherwise for furtherance of growth in their respective professions or to keep themselves engaged. The range of students covers housewives, jobseekers, eminent professionals, physically-mentally challenged, and of course the ignou staff & faculty who are furthering their education in various streams.
The syllabus for each course is meticulously prepared, exhaustive and enhances one’s outlook on the subject. Left alone to study for himself or herself, except for the contact classes/practice sessions(labs/workshops) in some courses, the student gets to absorb the magnitude of the task or goal to which he or she has to benchmark and gets to have a holistic understanding of the subject.
I ofcourse am refering to my MBA experience with IGNOU. It was an intense one and I was able to complete it in 3 years in spite of gruelling work schedules that I had to face at the work place. I have done my MBA in Operations Management. The older term Operations Research seems a lot more enticing, but I for one who has seen the world moving from abstraction to pragmatic outlook should finally concede that operations mangement fits the bill equally well.
The study centres might not be located to your convenience(especially for city dwellers). But it is worth a try. We are able to see quality educational programmes in Gyan Darshan. It is a process of continuing education. Recently IGNOU has added to its credit, PhD programmes in Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. It is slowly growing in all directions. Languishing in hostels where infrastructure is bare minimum, some students develop a coloured eye perspective on the world that is going to invite them for a future ahead. But with IGNOU study can be done at home or at work place during leisure hours.
As far as MBA programme is concerned even IIM offers a post graduate degree in business management which is equivalent but not exactly a Master’s programme. But is an IIM degree worth the hype? For middle class people getting a degree from IIM has become an unfulfilled dream. IGNOU reminds me of the ancient gurukul system, where respect for the elders and experienced would enlighten your brain and give profound knowledge that will last for a long time to come, without spoiling your seniority at the work place! Self Learning through self motivation!