New Delhi, April 7 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday that the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has played a transformative role in expanding higher education in India.
Speaking as the chief guest at the 39th convocation of IGNOU, held at its Baba Sahib Ambedkar Convention Centre in Maidan Garhi, Radhakrishnan described the university as a pillar of India's open and distance learning ecosystem.
During the convocation ceremony, over 3.24 lakh students received their degrees, diplomas, and certificates on Tuesday. The vice president also presented gold medals to the top-performing students.
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu was the guest of honour.
Speaking at the convocation, Sandhu said, "IGNOU has truly transformed education in India. For decades, it has broken barriers of distance, time, and circumstance, reaching millions of learners across the country."
"The current environment demands more than just a degree; it demands adaptability, skills, and a willingness to keep learning. Your degree is not the end of education; it is just the beginning," Sandhu said, adding that IGNOU has already taught students the ability to learn independently.
The event was also virtually attended by several dignitaries, including Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu, and Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa.
"IGNOU's journey since 1985 has been truly remarkable. It has extended learning opportunities to all sections, including working individuals, students in remote and rural areas, financially disadvantaged learners, and women," the vice president said.
Emphasising IGNOU's inclusive outreach, he noted that IGNOU has over 14 lakh learners, with 56 per cent being women and 58 per cent from rural and disadvantaged communities. He remarked that the university's learner base exceeds the population of many countries, reflecting its substantial contribution to educational equity, social mobility, and national development.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Radhakrishnan observed that IGNOU remained resilient due to its established distance learning model.
He noted that the university effectively leveraged digital platforms such as SWAYAM and e-GyanKosh to ensure uninterrupted learning, emerging as a leader in technology-enabled education.
During his speech, the vice president further welcomed the adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP), and noted that IGNOU has introduced four-year undergraduate programmes with multiple exit options, making higher education more flexible and learner-centric.
Underscoring the importance of technology, the vice president said that emerging tools such as artificial intelligence can enhance learning experiences, improve student support, and enable personalized education.
During the ceremony, the vice president also released the certificates on DigiLocker under the National Academic Depository (NAD) to ensure easy access for learners across the country. He further launched the IGNOU Alumni Portal, which has over 5 million registrations, and the SWAYAM Prabha Studio at Regional Centres across the country.