IGNOU-SRC Community College is established by the State Resource Centre, Kerala in the year 2009 as an institution registered under IGNOU. SRC, Kerala is functioning under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India and Managed by the General Education Department, Govt. of Kerala. The mission of the IGNOU-SRC Community College is to provide locally specific, socially relevant courses to the marginalized and under privileged sections of the society. As an institution meant for extending resource support to Literacy and Continuing Education activities, SRC, Kerala intends to provide advanced educational opportunities to the masses through the Community College. The courses are designed to cater the learners at different fields. The Open Distance Learning strategy followed by the Community College for teaching and learning will provide easy accessibility to the courses. The college is situated at SRC Office premises at Nanadavanam in Thiruvananthapuram. The IGNOU-SRC Community College is an innovative venture by the SRC since its inception in 1978.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

• The Community College is an alternative education system which aims to empower individuals through appropriate skill development leading to gainful employment in collaboration with local industries, NGOs, educational institutions and the community.
• A Community College may be defined as any institution accredited to award an Associate Degree (AD) as its highest degree.
• Community Colleges can serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer towards degree programme.
• The cost of education is significantly less in Community Colleges than other higher learning institutions and Universities.
• In Community Colleges, one can explore different subject areas before committing to a programme, without having to be so concerned about finances.
• The Community Colleges can offer intensive guidance counseling which can help the learner to assess his/her abilities, interests and educational options..
• Now, there are more than 100 Community Colleges established all over India. .

These Community Colleges are housed and run by NGOs, autonomous institutions, charitable trusts, missionaries etc. Community Colleges in certain parts of India emerged out of the growing needs of the unemployed youth and disadvantaged sections of the poor who usually fail to acquire skills for gainful employment

IGNOU AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is the prominant institution in India providing access to high quality education to all those who seek it irrespective of age, religion and gender. It offers need based academic programmes through open distance learning mode. IGNOU is an apex institution for setting and maintaining standards in distance learning.

• Indira Gandhi National Open University has taken the initiative to launch Community Colleges all over India with the support of various GOs and NGOs and educational institutions.
• This is a new venture/attempt to channelise an academic path for the under privileged category to reach out to formal education by framing the Associate Degree and Transfer Programme

COURSES IN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Introduction

IGNOU-SRC Community college offers courses through distance and open learning mode utilizing multiple media. The courses launched are leading to certificate and diploma, which are suitable to the present social set up and job market. The courses are designed after a need assessment exercise. IGNOU will provide certificate to candidates who complete the courses successfully. Following are the courses offered for the July 2010 session.

1. Certificate in Yoga, Meditation and Personality Development (Six Months)
2. Certificate in Acupressure and Holistic Health (Six Months)
3. Diploma in International Accounting (One Year)
4. Diploma in Visual Media (One Year)
5. Diploma in Beauty Care and Management (One Year)

Launching Year

The courses through IGNOU-SRC Community college have been launched with effect from July 2010 academic session. It will be offered in January and July sessions every year. The courses are offered throughout the State with the help of District Literacy Missions, Jan Shikshan Sansthans and selected Non-Governmental Organizations.

Programme Objectives

1. To provide competency and to build the capacity of the potential clientele.
2. To develop knowledge and understanding of the community, social workers, NGO representatives.
3. To upgrade the technical/vocational skills of the people.
4. To promote lifelong learning situations of the community.

Eligibility Criteria

The minimum qualification required for admission depends upon the nature of the course. There is no maximum age limit; however the minimum age shall be 18 years.

Medium of Instruction

Both English and Malayalam medium are used for the courses and the candidates have the choice to select the medium.

Duration of the Course

Minimum duration for the certificate course is 6 months and maximum is 2 years while the Diploma courses have the minimum duration of 1 year and maximum of 4 years. The candidates who incompletes/scores below the desired level can appear at the next term-end examination by remitting additional examination free.

Application Form & Prospectus

Application form along with prospectus can be had from the State Resource Centre, Kerala on request. Fee for this combined prospectus is Rs.100/-. Request for application along with the DD may be sent to the Director, State Resource Centre, Nandavanam, Vikas Bhavan.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695033. The fee once paid will not be re-imbursed.

Instructional System

The courses of the community college are different from those of the other conventional courses. They are mainly learner centered. In this approach learner is the active participant in the teaching –learning process. Main part of the instruction is imparted through distance mode of communication. Assignments, responses, face to face counseling sessions, practical sessions, Project work and contact classes are also included under the programme. In addition to print materials, Audio-video programme are also imparted. Practical sessions will be arranged at various locations where sufficient numbers of learners are there. The expertise and experience of different stakeholders will be utilized for the practical sessions and contact classes.

Community College Board

SRC, Kerala has constituted a community college Board in order to manage the administrative and academic matters of the college. The term of membership of the Board will be two years and it will meet at least twice a year. Following are the list of members of the Community College Board.

Academic Committee

Academic committee is the principal academic body of the college and is responsible for the maintenance of standards of instruction, examination and linkages with the industry/Community. The academic council will.

1. Make regulation regarding of students.
2. Recommend to the community College Board proposals for inclusion of new programmes of study.
3. Advice Community College Board on suggestion pertaining to academic affairs made by it.
4. Prepare syllabi for various programmes
5. Co-ordinate the industry/community linkage

The members of the Committee are as follows

Examination Committee

Examination Committee is responsible for the smooth conduct of internal assessments mid-term examination and term–end examination. The composition of the committee is as follows::

Course Co-ordinators