The MoMSMI recently came up to the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) with ideas to discipline and groom the enterprising talents in the country into a vibrating entrepreneurial force so that they produce enough to contribute to the national economy. Indeed, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were contributing about 8 per cent to the national GDP till 2007, before the meltdown. This tie-up with an industrial biggy was the sixth by IGNOU School of Vocational Education and Training (SOVET) shepherded by Professor CG Naidu, its director. The five earlier ones were with Accenture (for BPO training), Security Skills Council of India (for security men's training), CII (for industrial training), Apollo (for paramedical training) and Pearl Academy of Fashion (for training in fashion designing). A slew of other vocational training tie-ups are on cards. IGNOU's main thrust at collaboration with ACMT is to impart quality education and training at identified industries, ensure instilling of vocational expertise and skills so that the pass-outs can take the MoMSMI incentives for setting up their enterprises.

IGNOU Open and Distance Learning methodologies will converge with ACMT's face-to-face teaching, through assignments and case studies, compulsory ICTs, development of communication skills, hands-on experience at identified and suitable industries, developing of self-confidence at team work and organisational skills. The target beneficiaries of these programmes are individuals seeing jobs, setting up small-scale units and also looking for trained hands at steady inflow into their setups.

Speaking at a function where MOU was signed between IGNOU and ACMT, Pro-Vice Chancellor OP Mishra said,''it is a long term vision as in five years time our capabilities to train people will double up. Our Vice Chancellor has said that even when we are in the process of consolidating on our strength, we must keep on going ahead with our plans. Indeed, IGNOU by itself is a national mission. In our country vocationalisation of education is highly necessary to ensure that employability of a student ends up in complete employment and definitely not under-employment.'' Lauding the MoU venture as an ideal mix of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Pro-Vice Chancellor incharge of East India centres, Dr Devendra K Choudhry said,''te Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education can very well be boosted by such PPP ventures. At Patna we have done it already, and hope to carry it forward to entire eastern region under the IGNOU umbrella. In fact, IGNOU was already working in tandem with the PPT schemes. Let us hope that this venture effectively boosts entrepreneurship among Indian youth and proper development of skill at identified vocation be possible, so that there be a steady inflow of trained hand to industries.''

Source : webindia123