The government plans to open more ‘community colleges’ across the country with focus on skill development during the Eleventh Plan Period, with an aim to generate skilled manpower for the labour market. “Such colleges, providing an open-access admission policy, would also fulfill the mandate of the National Skill Mission and bring hopes to drop-outs, besides realising dreams of those who wish to complete higher studies,” IGNOU vice-chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai. They would have provisions for vertical mobility and service as a community-based institution of higher education, Pillai said, adding, IGNOU would act as a nodal agency for such colleges.

The varsity proposes to offer ‘associate degree’ programmes to these colleges with focus on skill development. On completion of the course, one can seek a lateral entry to the third year undergraduate programme in a regular college. “One can even explore different subject areas before committing to a programme,” he said.

At present, only about 100 community colleges are functioning in Tamil Nadu and other places as independent bodies without any recognition.