New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will offer a foundation course from July 2009 sessions.

The course will later be converted into certificate course.

In addition to foundation course in Bhojpuri, IGNOU is also going to launch a two-year associate degree programme in community colleges across the country.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal will inaugurate the initiative on July 4.

"We already have several institutions registered with us to implement the scheme," said Latha Pillai, pro-vice-chancellor IGNOU.