Thursday, September 11, 2014

Families that study together, stay together!

 It is not uncommon for government medical officer (primary health) Vinod Tiwari to share study tips with his 19 year-old son, even more so because they both attend the same university. The father-son duo is one of many families who are studying together through distance education at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). "It is good to have my son, Shubhanshu, pursuing the BA Psychology degree while I am doing the master's in the same field," said Tiwari. He, along with his family, was taking part in the IGNOU foundation day celebrations.

The Tiwari family has had a long tryst with IGNOU and Vinod's brother too has taken admission. "My brother is a doctor and now he has enrolled in a certificate course in health care management. It is a great feeling that the three of us are studying together as gaining knowledge is always helpful," said Tiwari.

Another government official Suraj Bhan too teamed up with his better half to hone his academic skills at IGNOU. Bhan said, "I am pursuing masters in sociology and I think it is important to keep one's education a continuous process." His wife Bala Devi is enrolled in an undergraduate course and says increasing academic knowledge is important to raise one's self esteem. "I have also done a course in fashion designing through another university and found that with knowledge, your overall personality develops. I feel in every household women must study and empower themselves with employment skills. If they start earning then they can be equal shareholders in the house and decision making process," said Devi. She adds that education has helped her not only gain confidence but also inspire others to take up courses. "I am always ready to help and guide other women on how they can enhance their knowledge through various courses," said Devi. Her brother-in-law too completed his graduation from IGNOU and is currently employed with the Delhi government.

S Sivaswaroop, regional director of IGNOU Nagpur, said, "Every year we celebrate foundation day with some unique concept. This year we decided to focus on families who are part of our bigger family - IGNOU. Learning is a process that can evolve with togetherness and there is no better way than families doing it together."

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