IGNOU tops list of world's largest varsities by student enrolment

Updated on: Monday, June 21, 2010

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), in its silver jubilee year, has topped the list of the largest universities in the world in terms of student enrolment.

''The university is at top place in the list of 61 largest universities in the world with 30 lakh student enrolment according to several sources; Internet (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) and Top Universities Ranking Guide,'' an IGNOU spokesperson said here today.

''It has reached the top slot due to its high flexibility, number of courses in diverse fields, quality course material and holding exams semester wise twice a year uninterrupted for the past 25 years,'' he added.

The university is followed by Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan (18 lakh), Islamic Azad University, Iran (13 lakh enrolment), Anadolu University, Turkey (8.84 lakh), Bangladesh National University, (8 lakh), Bangladesh Open University(6 lakh), both in Bangladesh, Ramkhamhaeng University, Thailand (5.25 lakh) and University System of Ohio, US (4.78 lakh).

Other Indian universities in the list are Dr B R Ambedkar Open University, Andhra Pradesh,(ninth rank with 4.5 lakh student enrolment), University of Delhi(13th rank with 4 lakh).

''IGNOU started functioning by offering two academic programmes in 1987 with a strength of 4528 students. Today it has presence across India and 36 other countries through 21 Schools of Studies and a network of 61 regional centres, around 60 overseas centres,'' the spokesperson stated.

IGNOU tops list of world's largest varsities by student enrolment

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