Ravindra Kumar, outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), said that the university is all set to roll out certificate courses in Vedic Studies, Indian culture and yoga.
He also said that “IGNOUʼs contribution to higher education had not been properly assessed”.
“We entered into MoU with Swaminarayan Sanstha to offer certificate programs in Vedic Studies, spiritualism and Indian culture. These are six-month courses. The first reaction to our decision to offer these courses was that we were becoming an RSS-Hindu university. The fact is, Indian spiritualism has as much to take from non-Hindu sects as it has to take from Hindu sects. We are also aware that Indian culture is not a homogeneous entity and has various strands,” he said.
“We have also been assisted by S VYASA University of Bengaluru and we will offer yoga programs, starting from certificate programs to PhD in Yogic Studies. Our intention is to spread yoga education across the globe,” said Kumar.
“IGNOU is a phenomenal system that has contributed immensely to the higher education sector in India. Unfortunately, its role and contribution has not been properly assessed,” he said.
After retirement, Kumar will be succeeded by the most senior professor of among IGNOU directors till HRD ministry appoints a new professor.
