The Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOUs) Institute for Vocational Education and Training (IIVET) undertook an exploratory study from March 2009 of the distinctive knowledge systems that exist in the North eastern part of India and identified various areas of work like fine arts, crafts, performing arts, folklore, languages, linguistics, traditions, rituals & practices, traditional practices of livelihood like cane and bamboo, jewellery, fabric and weaving, natural dye, construction, musical instruments, agricultural practices, health practices, environmental protection, traditional institutions and property rights, etc. Keeping in mind such areas, the university has decided to start a center for traditional knowledge systems where students, who can be the locals from the remotest village of the country, can obtain a certification in their area of expertise. The University, now fondly known as the people's university holds the mantra of age no bar, place no bar and pace no bar to admit students. IGNOU aims to provide the scope for the symbiotic relationship between North east and the rest of the country and in order to achieve this, there have been recommendations by the university such as:
