We invite you to the *ACCS-IGNOU* *Higher Education Symposium* at this year’s International Conference on Advanced Computing and Communication (ADCOM 2009) to be held on 17th December 2009.

This one-day symposium, co-sponsored by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), is held in conjunction with ADCOM 2009 organized annually by the Advanced Computing and Communication Society (ACCS). ACCS is a registered scientific society founded to provide a forum to individuals, institutions and industry to promote advanced Computing and Communication technologies.

The rapid adoption of mobile phones and e-governance initiatives in small towns and villages across India and the launch of cellular broadband this year has unleashed a large pent up demand for delivery of public services like education and primary health care. However, we have not harnessed the full potential of open and distance learning and open education due to the lack of delivery mechanisms, content management and assessment. The Symposium will explore and define newer paradigms in delivering distance education leveraging advanced computing and communications technologies. More information on this symposium is available at www.adcom2009.com/symposium

Leading educationalists, leaders of private and public universities, Heads of Institutions and ICT service providers will deliberate on a new paradigm to reach higher education to distant subscribers. The meeting will seek to influence public policies for effective delivery of distance higher education to the masses.