Professional Group: Education and Training Workshop Joint Meeting with:- Meeting Number: 193 Simultaneous Interpretation:-

Open and distance learning is seen as a viable alternative to provide ‘Education for all’, particularly in the context of developing countries. The open learning is basically a philosophy while distance learning is a method of flexible education for the unreached –socially, economically, physically and geographically disadvantaged groups of the society. In a skill oriented discipline like library and information science, the circumstantial disadvantaged group is another group for opportunity for continuing education to enhance and upgrade their skills. Various models of distance education, based on the application of technology have been developed. In India, 5 open universities and 60 correspondence departments in other universities offer such education, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) at the apex. The paper analyses the efforts of IGNOU to reach the unreached. The models to be selected should be based on learner’s requirement, their capability and infrastructure available to them. Development of multimedia and simulated courseware together with internship will be able to produce successful LIS professionals. Preamble The developing countries of the world are facing with the problem of providing education to all section of their people. The problem is multiplied for nations like India where rate of population growth is very high, resulting in growth of illiteracy rate. The reducing of the gap between illiterates and literates will eventually reduce the gap between two groups of people – rich and poor and ultimately two groups of nations – developed and developing. Many programmes like ‘Education for All’, ‘Universal Educations’ etc., have been undertaken to address the problem. Open and distance education system is considered as a viable alternative to take education to all for whom education remains unreached