VK Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, commended IGNOU for its significant role in democratizing higher education and contributing to India’s goal of becoming the world’s third-largest economy by fostering a skilled workforce. Speaking at the 38th foundation day ceremony of the open university, Saxena praised IGNOU for embodying the principles of inclusivity outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, dubbing it the “People’s University.”

The ceremony commenced with a floral tribute at the statue of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, led by Nageshwar Rao, the Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, alongside key university officials, Pro-Vice Chancellors, School Directors, faculty members, and the entire IGNOU fraternity.

During his address, Saxena applauded IGNOU as a beacon of knowledge and academic excellence in the realm of inclusive education and distance learning. He emphasized the university’s role in delivering flexible, learner-centric, cost-effective, and high-quality education with a commitment to equity and access.

Underlining the significance of the National Education Policy 2020, the Lt Governor highlighted its transformative nature and alignment with global agendas, particularly the UN Sustainable Development Goals-2030. Saxena underscored IGNOU‘s potential to tackle educational challenges through innovative approaches and urged the university to leverage emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and Virtual Reality to achieve global standards.

Furthermore, he advocated for a holistic approach to education, emphasizing the importance of student upskilling, vocational education, and a balanced focus on both curricular and extracurricular activities for comprehensive student development.

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