(a) Whether the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has any plan to launch several
courses and formal study programmers on social work and HIV/AIDS as reported in “Time of
India†dated March 11,2008;
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) The academic year from which such course and formal study programmed are likely to be
started by the IGNOU in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) to (c): The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has informed that it
has launched following programmed on HIV/AIDS:
i. Six month certificate programmed on HIV/AIDS and Family Education (CAFÉ) from academic
year 2002;
ii. One year diploma programmed on HIV/AIDS and Family Education (DAFE) from Academic year
2003; and
iii. Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) with three compulsory courses on HIV/AIDS. Family
Education and Substance Abuse from academic year 2004.
iv. The University has decided to offer Master’s in Social Work(MSW) with an elective course
on HIV/AIDS:
Stigma, Discrimination and Prevention and optional papers on HIV/AIDS, Family Education
and Substance Abuse in all its Under Graduate programmed, namely BA/B.Sc./B.Com, with effect
from July 2008. It also has a plan to offer one course each on HIV/AIDS and on Adolescence and
Family Education in its Teacher Training Programme (B.Ed) sponsored by MHRD and UNICEF.