The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is planning to collaborate with Government law colleges and police in the State and offer courses relevant to lawyers, law students and police personnel.
A detailed proposal is being sent to the Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University, Inspector General of Police and Superintendents of Police in districts explaining the various courses available to them.
S. Mohanan, Regional Director, IGNOU Madurai Regional Centre, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that the university would establish study centres in the Government Law Colleges at Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi after obtaining official permission.
“Already, IGNOU law programmes are being offered at Chennai through Dr.Ambedkar Law University in distance education mode. The same can be implemented in other parts of the State as well,” he said.
Caters to 17 districts
The Madurai Regional Centre of IGNOU which caters to 17 districts in the State will offer certificate, diploma, postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma level law programmes in Government law colleges.
Courses related to human rights, consumer protection, international humanitarian law, anti-human trafficking, cooperative law, paralegal practice, cyber law, patent practice, criminal justice, environmental law and intellectual property rights will be offered.
“If the police and lawyers are familiar with these specialised subjects, they will be able to handle the cases effectively. In Chennai, many policemen have joined our courses,” the Regional Director said.
The university authorities are expecting to launch the study centres and courses by July 2013 admissions.
Coordinators’ meet
Meanwhile, the IGNOU Madurai Regional Centre is convening a special meeting of coordinators of its study centres in 17 districts here on February 9 to chalk out an action plan for the future.
“We want to do a comprehensive review of academic issues by getting first hand information from the coordinators themselves. What are the courses to be introduced and how to increase enrolment will be discussed in the meeting,” Dr. Mohanan pointed out. Issues pertaining to students will also be discussed in the context of student support centres.
A detailed report on the outcome of coordinators’ meeting will be sent to the IGNOU headquarters at New Delhi.
The Madurai Regional Centre has 120-odd study centres of which representatives of 88 study centres would attend the meeting.
According to Dr.Mohanan, the cumulative student enrolment of Madurai Regional Centres is over 20,000 at present.
