New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS) The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will inaugurate the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center (ISLRTC) for the deaf community Oct 4, the varsity announced Sunday.

The centre has been set up with the support of the social justice and empowerment ministry.

‘The centre is the realisation of the long cherished dream of the deaf community in India. It is an exclusive education project for teaching, learning, training and capacity building for the vast deaf population. It will be a full time teaching and training center for Indian Sign Language combined with distance teaching/learning opportunities,’ said IGNOU Vice Chancellor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai in a statement.

‘This research centre is the first of its kind in India with centres attached to IGNOU. There will be zonal/regional centers in different geographic regions of the country. The center would consist of short term, medium and full fledged programmes for both the un-trained and experienced teachers of the deaf schools,’ he added.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik and Human Resource Development and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal will be present at the inauguration Tuesday.