New Delhi, Aug 16 :  The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started admission to two online programmes in paediatric nutrition, the university said in a statement Thursday.

The 'Post Graduate Certificate in Paediatric Nutrition' and 'Post Graduate Diploma in Paediatric Nutrition' are for individuals seeking expertise in paediatric nutrition. The applicants could be healthcare practitioners, dieticians, diet counsellors or health administrators.

Government and NGO functionaries involved with community development programmes or science graduates with an interest in healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry or biochemistry may also apply, the statement said.

According to IGNOU, the programme would help capacity building of healthcare practitioners, nutritionists and other stakeholders involved in the care of infants, children and adolescents.

"The programmes have been designed on a modular approach... The modules prepared as part of this exercise integrate education and training and focus on upgrading knowledge," said the statement.

The duration of the post graduate certificate course is six months while that of the post graduate diploma programme is a year.

The last date to apply is Sep 10, 2012.

© IANS