IGNOU plans to open study centres in Europe, Africa

IGNOU, the largest open university in the world, plans to open study centres in several countries in Europe and Africa to offer a variety of courses and teachers' training programmes.

"We have proposals from as many as 11 countries including Germany, France, Austria, Kenya and Ethiopia and we currently studying them," said IGNOU vice-chancellor VN Rajasekharan Pillai.

He said the African countries are keen on rural development programme while Kenya and Ethiopia have also evinced interest for management programmes.

"We would also be offering teacher training programmes in the African nations while a host of programmes on contemporary subjects would be offered in some of the European countries," he said.

IGNOU already handles a study centre in London. Besides, it has presence in over 35 countries through 56 study centres. Over 42,000 students are enrolled at its overseas centres. More than 90% of them are the people of Indian origin.

IGNOU courses were also seemingly gaining popularity in the Gulf region that has a large strength of Indian expatriates.