End English monopoly on Internet: Prof. Menon

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 3.

Noted scientist and professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Prof. M. G. K. Menon, today stressed upon the need for popularising Universal Networking Language (UNL) to end the dominance of English as the Internet language.

Addressing the 12th Convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) here, Prof. Menon said UNL could revolutionise the world of Internet as it works at a relatively unsophisticated level where any language could be translated into another language through the UNL.

Highlighting the importance of the UNL, he said because of its absence, ``one is moving to a digital divide involving those with access or no access to information technology; and finally an internet divide related to the English dominance of the Internet''.

Prof Menon said India was a country with 18 constitutional languages with 10 scripts and over 1,650 dialects. Every Indian language covers millions of human beings, and it is crucial that all are able to communicate without language being a barrier, he said. Therefore, it should be ensured that information technology delivered its potential in local languages, he stressed.

Prof. Menon also highlighted the importance and value of the ``guru-shishya parampara'' and said, ``The essential point we have to keep in mind is that distinction develops if nurtured by distinction. It is attitude rather than knowledge which is conveyed by a distinguished teacher. An important element of attitude that a teacher imparts is that of humility, and from it flows a self-critical mind and the continuous effort to learn and improve.''

He further said with the increase in the number of students within the educational system, personal relations between teacher and student had weakened. The competitive nature of life and importance given to examinations and certification had reduced importance of education, he added.

Prof. Menon said open universities had great strengths

that were built into their system through openness, accessibility and flexibility which allows the student to fix his/her pace of learning.

While presenting the annual report, IGNOU's acting Vice- Chancellor, Prof. V. S. Prasad, announced that the University was in the process of developing state-of-the-art computing and communication facilities at 14 of its regional centres to serve as IGNOU's ``Tele-Learning Centres'' (TLCs). These TLCs would provide a digital learning environment for computer courses. He informed that IGNOU had also entered into an agreement with 12 entrepreneurs for providing additional TLCs to its students.

Prof. Prasad said in the current year, IGNOU had been focusing on educational development of the North-Eastern States for which the University had already received a grant of Rs. 8 crore from the Department of Education. Under the programme, regional centres would be established. Also, special study centres, computer laboratories, teleconferencing facilities would be set up to increase accessibility of IGNOU's programmes.

A total of 61,496 students, including 31 gold medalists, were awarded degrees, diplomas and certificates at the convocation that was held simultaneously through teleconferencing mode via satellite at IGNOU's 20 regional centres. The convocation ceremony was covered live by ``Gyan Darshan'', Doordarshan's educational channel.

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