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IGNOU confers Rajiv Gandhi prize on Premji
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) conferred the Rajiv Gandhi International prize for Technology in Education and Development on Azim Premji Foundation on Wednesday. The award was presented by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Communications and IT, Kapil Sibal to Azim Premji at the India Habitat Center in the capital.
This award was instituted by the University in its Silver Jubilee Year. This prize is given to an individual or an institution that has made significant contributions in education particularly educational technology, for development in developing countries across the world.
It comprises a cash component of `5 lakh and a citation. Azim Premji Foundation is the first awardee for the laurel.
Also, a book was released by the minister containing the silver jubilee lectures compiled by the Pro VC of IGNOU, Dr. Latha Pillai and Associate Professor Dr. Babu P Ramesh while, Mr. Azim Premji released a CD containing the interactive multi course study materials of the university.
Acknowledging the honour, Premji outlined three major experiences giving meaning to his contributions. Focusing on the basics of education through equity he said, “You can’t build skyscrapers in air. We need a solid foundation to address the demands.”
He emphasised upon the significant uses of IT in education and said that, “Currently, IT in education is used as a separate subject altogether. It can be integrated with the mainstream of education which would then prove far more useful in disseminating education among adults than children. Though children learn quickly, but what they require is good teachers.”
“One area of use of IT which is not being exploited as yet is administration. IT has a huge applicability here which can help improve the area of governance,” he concluded.
Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai, VC, IGNOU outlined various innovations like the Pan Africa network and the upcoming of an Institute of Sign Language Research and Training Centre for deaf people by the university.
This award was instituted by the University in its Silver Jubilee Year. This prize is given to an individual or an institution that has made significant contributions in education particularly educational technology, for development in developing countries across the world.
It comprises a cash component of `5 lakh and a citation. Azim Premji Foundation is the first awardee for the laurel.
Also, a book was released by the minister containing the silver jubilee lectures compiled by the Pro VC of IGNOU, Dr. Latha Pillai and Associate Professor Dr. Babu P Ramesh while, Mr. Azim Premji released a CD containing the interactive multi course study materials of the university.
Acknowledging the honour, Premji outlined three major experiences giving meaning to his contributions. Focusing on the basics of education through equity he said, “You can’t build skyscrapers in air. We need a solid foundation to address the demands.”
He emphasised upon the significant uses of IT in education and said that, “Currently, IT in education is used as a separate subject altogether. It can be integrated with the mainstream of education which would then prove far more useful in disseminating education among adults than children. Though children learn quickly, but what they require is good teachers.”
“One area of use of IT which is not being exploited as yet is administration. IT has a huge applicability here which can help improve the area of governance,” he concluded.
Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai, VC, IGNOU outlined various innovations like the Pan Africa network and the upcoming of an Institute of Sign Language Research and Training Centre for deaf people by the university.
