NEW DELHI: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced its plan to launch a six-month certificate programme in 'community radio' from January 2009.

IGNOU will launch the programme in collaboration with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).

IGNOU Vice Chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai said, In the certificate programme IGNOU has added a 10 day internship as a compulsory component of the programme to ensure that students get a first hand experience at a community radio station....

The Open University will also offer over 150 scholarships for students opting for the course.

"The course will generate quality hands to operate the community radio stations. The scholarships will act as an encouragement, not only for IGNOU, but also for those who wish to learn the arts and crafts of community radio broadcasts", Prof Pillai further said.

Alongwith the course IGNOU has also organised two days conference between 29 -30 September, 2008 on community radio where the professionals who have worked for community radio or has the license to start community radio services will be sharing their experiences.

The conference addresses various issues like sustaining community radio services, the need of training in community radio, how community radio services can be used to develop agriculture and various other business opportunities, etc.

Community radio uses the FM transmission mode of low range reach. It has played a pivotal role in cyclone and flood-affected areas, saving hundreds of lives through early warning, besides spreading awareness on social issues.