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IGNOU to start four new courses

Thiruvananthapuram: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will start four new courses in Cyber Laws, Intellectual Property Rights, Aeronautical Engineering and Endodontics in collaboration with reputed Indian institutes and Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia.

V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, in a statement here on Sunday, said the two-year Masters’ Programme in IPRs, which is first of its kind in India, is to develop awareness, knowledge and practical skills on IPR issues. The programme aims to promote a new brand of IP Lawyers and supporting professionals in the emerging world order. In addition to legal skills, the acquisition of in-depth knowledge and scholarship are the other features of the course.

Moreover, it would encourage the creativity in science and technology and protect invention and innovation in countries such as India in the days to come, Prof. Pillai said.

One of the most significant forms of IPR includes patents. The patents would protect innovation and invention that involves product and process patent. Furthermore, this area also serves as a tool for economic growth, technology transfer, research and development. Patents would strengthen the creation of new technology along with creativity in science and technology. The course will commence in January 2009 and students from all over the world are eligible for enrolment. Students who pass the first year of the Masters Programme at IGNOU would be eligible to proceed to QUT to complete the Second Year of the Masters Programme in IP Law and obtain both IGNOU and QUT degrees.

The Post-Graduate Certificate in Cyber Law begins from July 2008 session. This course is an innovative programme based on self-learning instructional material with multimedia and teleconferencing support. The main objective of the course is to bring about in the learners the critical understanding of cyber laws in the emerging world in the light of social and intellectual property issues. It focusses on how to address the rapid changes in the field of Information Technology. The course would have immense scope in dealing with consultancy in e-security, digital signatures, cryptography, etc.

The course has been designed keeping in view of the fact that cyber crimes are a new class of crimes in India. Till recently, many information technology professionals lacked awareness of cyber crimes or had any interest in it. In many cases, law enforcement officers have lacked the tools needed to tackle such crimes.

The programme would consist of four compulsory courses, which range from cyber technology and social issue, regulation of cyberspace, commerce and cyberspace to privacy and data protection. A graduate in any discipline can enrol for the course. The medium of instruction would be English. The fee is Rs.5,000.

The four-year B. Tech. programme is a unique programme to develop knowledge, awareness and professional skills in the Aeronautical Engineering discipline.

The delivery of the programme will be through face mode coupled with Open Distance Learning (ODL) component. This programme will commence in July 2009. Initially four centres will be activated in North, South, East and West of India. Course material will be developed in collaboration with the experts engaged in aviation sector.

The course objectives include development of technical professionals in the area of aeronautical engineering through joint design and implementation of B. Tech. Programme. IGNOU has tied up with the Aeronautical Engineering Research Organisation (AERO), Pune, to form a joint core group to oversee the planning and development of the programme and also to undertake and execute all such activities required for the fulfilment of the objectives described above.

AERO will set up a fully equipped office infrastructure for the project on the IGNOU campus. The tie-up would be in force for from years from the date of signing of the MoU and may be renewed by mutual consent.

IGNOU has entered into collaboration with Dental Council of India to launch two programmes in open and distance learning mode from July 2008. Each programme is of one year duration (30 credits each). However, there is a flexibility to complete the programme in maximum duration of three years. Both the programmes have been accredited by the council. Since these programmes are through open and distance learning education mode, one does not have to leave one’s established practices / work places except for the contact programmes. There is no age bar and even fresh graduates can apply, Prof. Pillai said.

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