Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has decided to launch a certificate course on sand art as a first of its kind in the country in a bid to popularise the art form.
Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik, who is all set to help in designing and developing the unique course, said it would be provided through the Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) programme of the University.
He said the decision to introduce the course was revealed by IGNOU's Vice Chancellor Prof Ravindra Kumar at the East Zone Regional Directors' Meet held here on Friday.
The course to be offered on the University's online platform would initially be available at Bhubaneswar region as this year's enrolment of eastern zone was around 25 per cent of the total enrolment of IGNOU, the VC said.
IGNOU would later introduce the course in other centres, he said adding, the programme was expected to be launched within three months.
IGNOU has developed more than 300 MOOC courses, which offer students an opportunity to learn online. MOOC programme was open to all and anyone can access it, Kumar said.
The process of sculpture making on sand by Sudarsan Patnaik at sea beach would be video recorded and these would be circulated online for the students, he said.
Like other online courses, sand art programme would also be offered on the government's own Internet platform called 'Swayam'. Students can access the website and learn sand art through videos.
Regional Director of IGNOU, Bhubaneswar, Dr Abhilash Nayak said following the announcement of the programme, the University would prepare the course of study and syllabus.
The sand art programme would include both theory and practical, Patnaik said adding, students would be taught about selection of sand, use of water, measurement of sand and other things while making the sculpture.