IGNOU to launch a "Diploma in Retailing"

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today announced that it would launch a "Diploma in Retailing" leading to BBA.

A MOU in this regard was signed between IGNOU and the Retailers Association of India(RAI).

This agreement was signed by Mr K Laxman, Registrar (IGNOU) and Mr B S Nagesh, Chairman, Retailers Association of India(RAI).

This Diploma, of one year duration with English as medium of instruction, is to commence from January next year.

Students who join this Diploma shall be given an opportunity to study two more years to complete Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in "Retailing" commencing January 2009.

The Business and University relationships are perfected in this programme and all the students who join the programme are guaranteed an internship of a minimum of six months duration with an established retail company. Further, during the period of internship each student will be paid a stipend.

Candidate who have completed 'plus 2' can be directly admitted based on merit as well as candidates directly sponsored by the retail industry who fulfill the qualification of 'plus 2'.

The university shall establish exclusive study centres for the programme. Beside academic counsellors, experts from the retail industry will be drawn for conducting counselling and special lectures and discussions.

IGNOU in collaboration with RAI shall organize induction, block counselling (one in each semester for 5 days), guidance and internship facility for every learner. The learner is eligible to write semester-wise term-end examination in June and December, 2008.

UNI