Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) conducted its 30th convocation at its regional centre here on Thursday.
The main function was held at Ignou, New Delhi, and was webcast at the regional centres.
At the Visakhapatnam regional centre, degrees were awarded to 548 students by K.S. Chalam, former Vice Chancellor of Dravidian University, Kuppam.
Addressing the students, Prof. Chalam appreciated the open university system in India in general and Ignou in particular for working towards democratising higher educational opportunities which are not available due to social economic conditions prevailing based on graded inequalities and regional and spatial distances.
Prof. Chalam pointed out that Dalits, OBCs, housewives and employees are taking advantage of distance mode of education, as it is cost effective and convenient for them in terms of time and space.
Regional Director S. Raja Rao, in his report, highlighted the activities taken up during last year and informed that four new study centres were established in rural and remote areas during last year.
According to him, the student enrolment has increased by 38% during the current session.
Mr. Raja Rao also said that the Visakhapatnam Regional Centre was making special efforts to train rural youth through Awareness Programme in Dairy Forming in collaboration with the Visakha Dairy.
The programme has been successfully running and nine batches have successfully completed the programme, he said.
