IGNOU Organise 5th Conference for Vice Chancellors of Open University

Inter-University Consortium (IUC) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) organized a 5th conference for Vice Chancellors of Open Universities at Maidan Garhi, IGNOU, in which Vice Chancellors of Open Universities and their representatives, Directors of Directorate of Distance Education took part.

Prof Gayatri Kansal, Director (I/c) IUC, welcomed all the distinguished guests; she also gave a brief description of various IUC activities and discussed the main objectives of the conference.

Inaugural session of the conference was addressed by Prof. Rash Bihari Prasad Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda Open University (NOU), he talked about issues in ODL, there is no freedom for research in M.Phil and P.hd. “ODL is passing through difficult phase and we need to establish our outstanding credibility, ODL should provide more choices, Sports and cultural activities should also be promoted.”

Prof. Pawan Kumar Singh, Senior Faculty IIM Indore was the distinguished guest of the conference opined that ODL institutions have very large jurisdiction and thus have a vast reach. ODL Institutions should encourage environment of continuous interaction of ODL teachers and learners. He appreciated the Quality of IGNOU Study Material and said that quality of ODL should be updated regularly.

Prof Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, gave the presidential Address, He said “ODL-India is the world’s biggest success story, we are working hard to Increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by increasing the standard and Quality of Education.” He said that “We are reaching to the marginalized and weaker section of the society at a very low cost.” He also discussed the pressing issues faced by ODL, like autonomy of ODL, unlike conventional universities, were restricted to start new courses and to offer professional programmes in Engineering, Law, Education. This is in spite of MHRD categorically stating that degrees from ODL and face to face are equal. He further reiterated that Open Universities have been restricted from offering M.Phil and P.h.D programmes.


Vote of thanks was given by Mr. Sudhir Budakoti, Registrar (ADMN) of IGNOU.

In the conference discussions on The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and assessment and accreditation system of ODL in Higher Education and CHOICE BASED CREDIT SYSTEM (CBCS) were held.