IGNOU Begins Application for PG Diploma in Animal Welfare for July 2024 Session

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is inviting applications for the Post Graduate Diploma in Animal Welfare (PGDAW) for the July 2024 academic year. Interested candidates can apply through the official portal — ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

The one-year program explores four main areas: animal welfare science and ethics, animal welfare issues, animal welfare laws and policies, and animal welfare practices and standards. It is made to accommodate graduates from a variety of academic backgrounds.

Since its launch in July 2020, the program has gained recognition as the “Largest Global Animal Welfare Education Programme,” demonstrating IGNOU’s dedication to developing knowledge in the area, the university said in a statement.

All species under human care are included in the concept of animal welfare, with a major emphasis on addressing the needs of farm animals, where the situation is most dire. But the range includes companion, zoo, lab, working, performance, and street animals as well, so thorough care is required. The 85-module PGDAW curriculum covers the practical, ethical, legal, and scientific aspects of animal welfare in a variety of contexts.

The PG diploma program was created in partnership with the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom with the aim of achieving two goals: building stakeholder capacity to make informed decisions regarding animal welfare and providing science-based education in animal welfare through distant learning.

The program is open to everyone who is passionate about animal welfare as well as staff members of gaushalas, NGOs, and animal welfare organizations. The PG diploma program is open to applications from academic staff, researchers, and students at universities and veterinary colleges.

Participants in this program may also include veterinarians and para-veterinarians employed by the government or armed forces, members of animal welfare boards and committees, law enforcement personnel, civil officials, forest service officers, and wildlife conservationists.