Bhubaneswar, June 10: In a major step toward inclusive education, over 650 textbooks from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will be translated into Odia. The initiative, covering more than 50 diploma and certificate courses, 400+ undergraduate, and 200+ postgraduate textbooks, will be completed within two years at a cost of ₹2.45 crore.
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An MoU was signed on Monday between IGNOU and the Odisha Higher Education Department at Lok Seva Bhawan. Speaking at the event, Higher Education Minister Surjya Banshi Suraj emphasized that teaching in Odia is key to improving the state's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), currently at 22.1%. The goal is to raise it to 50% by 2036.
Alongside translation, the textbooks will be digitized into e-books. IGNOU will provide course materials, technical support, and quality review tools. A Joint Coordination Committee will oversee implementation, comprising IGNOU and state education officials.
Present at the MoU signing were IGNOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Registrar Alok Chaubey, Higher Education Secretary Arvind Agrawal, and Independent Secretary Ramakant Nayak.
