Radio an Effective Means of Distance Education, Say Experts

Radio can be an effective means of distance education due to its low cost, opined the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and Deutsche Welle (DW) experts. Germany’s international broadcaster DW visited the University campus aiming to expand its existing collaboration in new areas.

The Director General of DW, Mr. Erik Bettermann visited IGNOU and had detailed discussion with the IGNOU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. M. Aslam. During the discussion, the ongoing collaboration was reviewed and the need to explore new areas of collaboration was stressed upon.

In the course of discussion, Prof. M. Aslam elaborated on the role and place of IGNOU in the higher learning. He said that, “IGNOU’s mandate is to ‘reach the unreached’. In this mission, the university has made significant contribution in the distance learning across the world.” He stressed the need for IGNOU and DW to explore possibilities of working together as to how radio broadcast can become an effective tool of learning. The DW experts welcomed the suggestion and agreed to further explore its possibilities.

During the visit, the German delegation also interacted with the students of journalism, electronic production and media management.  Mr. Bettermann also addressed the full-time programme students and open and distance mode students across the country through teleconferencing session telecast live on Gyan Darshan. He spoke on  "Education and Public Service Media” and stressed upon the significant role of educational and public service media.

The two global institutions have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) while collaborating in conducting training programmes in the streams of online journalism, training methodology and media management.

The DW Akademie is one of the premier institutions of media education and training in Europe. The roots of Deutsche Welle’s international training activities reach back over 40 years. DW also offers a foreign language traineeship in Germany for young journalists. Deutsche Welle trains young journalists every year.

The academy provides training for media professionals from developing and transition countries and young, up-and-coming journalists. Its multimedia training program is highly respected. DW produces and broadcast television, radio and online content in 30 languages. People around the world can access its services that are either offered in the country’s native language or in English. Its services reach more than 86 million listeners and viewers worldwide each week. The academy annually trains about 3,000 media professionals from all over the world. Courses are held abroad with a few in Germany as well.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has entered into long term collaboration with Deutsche Welle Academy for the conduct of various training programmes. The academy has conducted programmes in the areas of Online Journalism, Training of Trainers and Media Management at IGNOU campus as part of the collaboration.

The DW is also contributing in providing video and audio educational programmes for Gyan Darshan and Gyan Vani- the educational television and radio channels of IGNOU.

Source: IGNOU