IGNOU unveils web enabled academic support (WEAS) portal

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the largest Open University in the world, has introduced Web Enabled Academic Support (WEAS) portal for its students. This is likely to work as a shared universal programme portal which would help students find academic support on the programme they are enrolled in. The portal is meant to mentor students with information on programme induction, study material distribution, pre-entry, admission, assignments, pre-examination and examination, supplementary study materials, learning, counseling, and assignments, etc.

WEAS consists of video, quiz, discussion, and self-learning course material, etc. This is likely to make the learning process more interactive. Few of the pioneering features of the portal comprise self-paced learning regardless of distance and time difference, virtual learning by getting distance learners and teachers on a unified platform.

Earlier, in November, this plan was introduced by IGNOU on a pilot basis for Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Science (PGDSS), Post Graduate in Pharmaceutical Sales Management (PGDPSM), and Post Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Policy (PGCAP). Now, it has been extended to other programmes.

Students would get access to this portal free of cost. This would save a lot of money which is spent on the counselling sessions. Moreover, it is likely to provide timely academic support to the students by the programme managers. This is supposed to benefit those courses which observe low enrolment.

IGNOU also offers its students study materials in an online format through eGyankosh. In order to promote the use of digital learning resources, it had announced a 15 per cent refund on exam fees for those students who opt for e-study material. The announcement was made in October and has also been opted by many students.

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