IGNOU signs MoU with Defence Forces

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: Indira Gandhi National Open University has signed an MoU with the defence forces to integrate knowledge with skills in the Bachelor Degree Programme designed for Agniveers in line with the recommendations of National Education Policy 2020.
To enhance the future career prospects of the recruits or ‘Agniveers’ under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, the Ministry of Education had earlier announced the launch of a special three-year skill-based bachelor’s degree programme that will recognize the skill training received by them during their tenure in the defense establishments.
Skill based Bachelor’s Degree by IGNOU will provide Agniveers to do 50 percent of the courses in general higher education and the balance credits through credit transfer of skill education provided by Defence Institutes. Under this programme, 50 percent of the courses required for a graduate degree will come from the skill training (technical and non-technical) while the remaining will come from a variety of courses across subjects including Languages, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, Maths, Education, Commerce, Tourism, Vocational Studies, Agriculture and Jyotish, along with ability enhancement courses on Environmental Studies and Communication Skills in English.
This programme is aligned with UGC norms and with the National Credit Framework / National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) as mandated under the National Education Policy 2020. It also has provision for multiple exit points – Undergraduate Certificate on successful completion of the first year courses, Undergraduate Diploma on successful completion of the first and second year courses, and Degree on completion of all the courses in a three year time frame.
“The framework of the programme has been duly recognized by the concerned regulatory bodies like AICTE, NCVET and UGC and the Degree will be awarded by IGNOU as per UGC nomenclature and will be recognized both in India and abroad for employment and education”, said Dr Sandeep Gupta, Regional Director In charge.