IGNOU confers over 3 lakh degrees, diplomas at 38th convocation; focuses on NEP 2020, inclusivity
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan was the chief guest and delivered the convocation address.
NEW DELHI:
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) conferred over 3 lakh degrees, diplomas, and certificates during its 38th convocation to students across various programmes. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan was the chief guest and delivered the convocation address.
In his virtual address, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said, “India’s education system is undergoing a change under NEP 2020 offering flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, vocational training, and technology-driven education. IGNOU is playing a key role in implementing these reforms, offering diverse programs tailored for working professionals, international students, jail inmates, and defense personnel. Its regional language initiatives, including MBA courses in multiple languages, will help in better comprehension, while promoting accessibility".
The minister also highlighted the university's efforts in implementing the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
, which aims to bring about a transformative shift in India's educational landscape by offering flexibility, vocational training, and technology-driven learning.
He spoke of the IGNOU’s industry-aligned vocational programs and collaborations with NSDC, ensuring employability through NSQF-approved courses in healthcare and environmental science.
Contribution to vocational education, skill development
He highlighted the university's vocational programs aligned with industry needs and collaborations with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). These efforts ensure that students are job-ready and equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in the modern job market. Additionally, the Minister praised IGNOU for embracing cutting-edge technologies like
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital learning
to extend quality education remotely.
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.
Follow us for the latest education news on colleges and universities, admission, courses, exams, research, education policies, study abroad and more..
To get in touch, write to us at news@careers360.com.