Ignou now first open university to get NAAC accreditation

NAGPUR: Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has become the first distance learning varsity in India to get a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) accreditation. The ‘A++’ grade (highest) has been conferred upon Ignou after a rigorous evaluation process which lasted over a year. In 2019, NAAC issued guidelines for accreditation of distance learning institutes based on the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Nageshwar Rao, vice chancellor of Ignou, said, “The accreditation comes from a team which had seven serving vice chancellors. That gives you an idea of how tough and in depth the entire evaluation process was. In fact, 70% of the evaluation is done by a neutral third party agency on factors which can be quantified.”
He said this evaluation process also included student feedback, the size of which may never be matched by any other open and distance learning (OLD) varsity. “Around 30,000 learners’ feedback was taken. Our entire system was checked and evaluated to the fullest by professionals before the final decision,” said Rao.
On January 8, NAAC issued a statement confirming that Ignou has been granted the A++ grade post the evaluation.
For Rao, this is an reconfirmation of what the varsity has always claimed. “We always knew that our evaluation process, quality of courses, learning material etc were top class. The only thing we lacked was an official document certifying the same. In Nepal, the government said we require certification, else centres would have to close down. So, with all these things in mind, as soon as the guidelines were released by the NAAC, we applied for the accreditation,” said Rao.
A few years ago, there were some issues related to PhD offered by Ignou, but Rao says that too has been sorted out. “Clarification has already come from the UGC and we can offer PhD through the regular mode. The notification is out and has the assent of the President as well. So now, there’s no scope of any confusion. Even the guides that are appointed are full time faculty of our varsity,” said Rao.
While the NAAC evaluation team has given a thumbs up to Ignou, they have made some of the customary suggestions as well. Rao said, “These suggestions have been sent to us in a sealed envelope and that will be opened soon in our next meeting. We always maintain transparency and hence, shall share these suggestions with the media as well.”