New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Friday inaugurated a seminar on Sanskrit here which also marked the formal launch of its online certificate programme in the language.

"IGNOU has plans to launch several advanced programmes in Indology and Vedanta as well as certificate programmes in other Indian languages. There is a need to revamp Sanskrit education and Sanskrit scholars should learn English to spread the language," said university Vice Chancellor V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai in his inaugural speech.

The one-day seminar was organised by IGNOU's School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-Disciplinary Studies (SOITS).

The online certificate programme, jointly offered by IGNOU and Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF), has already started.

Director General of Archaeological Survey of India K.N. Shrivastava was the chief guest at the function.

"Sanskriti (culture) and Sanskrit are inter-linked. Without an understanding of Sanskrit, it is not possible to understand Indian culture and Ayurveda," said Shrivastava.

He also stressed the relevance of preserving Indian heritage and culture for economic development of the country. IANS