The minister concluded his address by stressing the need for continuous capacity building, including teacher training, and encouraged the university to expand its digital education initiatives, strengthen global collaborations, and promote lifelong learning to help India progress towards becoming a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047.
Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor IGNOU, outlined the university's continued commitment to its core mandate of access, inclusion, quality, and affordability in higher education. With an average annual intake of 7.5 lakh learners, IGNOU has been a key player in improving the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education.
IGNOU expands global presence, infrastructure
Kanjilal also mentioned the university’s proactive approach in implementing NEP 2020 provisions, including the introduction of the Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP), multiple entry and exit options, and the inclusion of skill-based education in various programs. She also highlighted the special programs designed for the Agniveers of the Indian Defence Forces, with over 5,000 Agniveers already enrolled in these courses.
The university has made significant strides in its international presence, now reaching out to 70 countries, further solidifying its global footprint. As part of its infrastructure expansion, IGNOU inaugurated six new regional center buildings in February 2024, with additional smart classrooms being integrated to enhance the digital learning experience.
The convocation was conducted simultaneously across 39 Regional Centers of the University in India and at 15 Overseas Centers. The ceremony was broadcast live through various channels, including the university’s Gyan Darshan Channel, Gyan Vani, YouTube, and the IGNOU portal. The event was also streamed live on IGNOU's official Facebook page, making it accessible to viewers worldwide.
