The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : EDUSAT link planned in State prisons

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Sunday, Jul 13, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

EDUSAT link planned in State prisons

Shastry V. Mallady and S. Vijay Kumar

MADURAI/CHENNAI: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is exploring the option of introducing EDUSAT (Educational Satellite) in prisons by setting up Satellite Interactive Terminals. Lectures can be beamed to prisons through the uplinking facility. With the university launching courses in various central prisons, focussing on empowerment of convicts, the university headquarters has alerted its regional heads to attempt creating this exclusive satellite-linked learning facility, sources told The Hindu on Saturday. The university is encouraged by the fact that several life convicts have completed IGNOU courses in jail and is seriously thinking of taking the proposal to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for its support in establishing EDUSAT facility with two-way audio/video interaction.

“We have now given thought to it and the package of teaching/learning through technology may soon be available in prisoners’ education,” says K. Panneerselvam, Regional Director, IGNOU-Madurai Regional Centre.

Since the university is open to having study centres and conducting spot admissions, the next step of comprehensive education/interactive terminals is being considered.

According to Dr. Panneerselvam, the university will be utilising the expertise of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in this regard.

“We are already conducting high-end programmes like BCA and MCA courses. So, this satellite link will be of much use,” he says, adding that Vice-Chancellor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, too, gave a call at a meeting in New Delhi on July 11 for expanding the varsity’s reach.

Move welcomed

Additional Director-General of Police (Prisons), R. Natraj, has welcomed the initiative to establish EDUSAT facilities in prisons. He says about 18,000 prisoners are lodged in prisons across the State, of which more than 6,500 are convicts.

“As of now, 1,000 prisoners are involved in pursuing educational activities. We want to increase this number by introducing job-oriented courses. EDUSAT will be useful in enrolling more prisoners to degree courses,” he says, adding that the Prison Department is prepared to extend logistic support.

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