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The Indira Gandhi National Open University, popularly known as IGNOU, is set to introduce a certificate course in sand art. The university will be the first in the country to launch this programme. Sudarshan Patnaik, who belongs to Odisha, will help the university in designing and developing the curriculum for the programme. He is a well-known sand artist by profession.
Prof Ravindra Kumar, the vice-chancellor of IGNOU, made the announcement at the East Zonal Regional Directors’ Meet that was held in Bhubaneswar last week. It will be an online programme, a part of the massive online open course (MOOC).
Also read: HRD Ministry Launches Massive Online and Open Courses
Till date, IGNOU has developed around 300 MOOC courses for students across the country. These are offered to the students on the government’s internet platform, named Swayam.
The course on sand art will also be available on ‘Swayam’, from where the interested candidates will be able to learn the art through videos and lectures.
Mr. Patnaik gave a presentation highlighting the scope and features of sand art during the meet. Later, he was asked to assist the university in developing a course of about a month’s duration for the interested students. He will thus work on the practical as well as theory model of the course.
Also read: 4 Free-of-Cost Courses to be Offered to Weavers’ Family by IGNOU
The theory will consist of parameters such as:
- Selection of sand
- Use of water
- Measurement of sand
- Use of props while making a sculpture
Practicals, on the other hand, will help students gain knowledge of selecting and gathering sand, and how to ensure a good finishing touch of the sculpture.
The course will at first, only be offered in the Bhubaneswar region and later at other centres throughout the country. It is expected to be launched within three months and will be open for all.
Currently, the enrollment of eastern zone was found out to be 25 percent of the total enrolments of the university in the country.
