Article Body
On a humid July morning in New Delhi, as over 4 million learners logged on to IGNOU’s SWAYAM portal, Prof Uma Kanjilal—IGNOU’s first woman Vice-Chancellor—quietly took the oath of office on July 25, 2025. IGNOU first woman VC Prof Uma Kanjilal’s elevation shatters a four-decade glass ceiling at the world’s largest open university and arrives amid India’s urgent push for hybrid learning under NEP 2020. This matters now because, in 2025, online enrolment has surged 40 percent year-on-year across institutions, and Prof Kanjilal’s digital expertise is mission-critical.
What makes Prof Uma Kanjilal’s appointment historic?
What Happened?
Prof Kanjilal, a library and information science professor since 2003, officially assumed IGNOU’s VC role after serving as Acting VC since July 2024 and Pro VC from March 2021 to July 2024.
Why Now?
Under NEP 2020, India aims for 50 percent GER by 2035 through tech-enabled education. IGNOU, with 4 million active learners, is ground zero for scalable digital models.
Impact for India
Her leadership guarantees continued expansion of SWAYAM and SWAYAM Prabha, vital for remote regions—70 percent of whom cite connectivity as a barrier.
What’s Next?
Expect rollout of AI-driven course-recommendation engines and expansion of localized MOOCs in 12 regional languages by 2026.
Surprising Exclusive Angle: The “Library to Leadership” Continuum
Long dismissed as archival specialists, LIS experts are now at the forefront of digital pedagogy. Prof Kanjilal’s trajectory—from cataloguer at IGNCA (1987–1988) to Fulbright Fellow (1999–2000) to IGNOU VC—reveals how metadata mastery underpins adaptive learning systems. This unexpected angle reframes libraries as innovation hubs, not repositories.
Trending Questions Answered
Who is Prof Uma Kanjilal and what’s her background?
Prof Kanjilal started at IIT Kanpur in 1984, joined IGNOU in 1989, and led key units—Centre for Online Education (2019–2021) and National Virtual Library Project (2016–2020).
How will her leadership change IGNOU’s future?
She’ll turbocharge digital infrastructure under NMEICT Phase-III, integrate AI into learner services, and champion gender parity among leadership ranks.
Expert Insight
Dr. Anjali Rao, former UGC member and digital learning strategist, calls this “IGNOU’s inflection point” “Prof Kanjilal’s vision aligns with UNESCO’s lifelong learning agendas, positioning India as a global ed-tech leader.”
Actionable Advice for Readers
-
Check: Enrol in SWAYAM’s upcoming “AI in Education” course co-designed by Prof Kanjilal’s PMU.
-
Watch: IGNOU’s digital town hall on August 15, 2025, for rollout details.
-
Share: This story with educators to spark dialogues on inclusive digital learning.
FAQ
Q1: When did Prof Uma Kanjilal officially become IGNOU’s VC?
Prof Kanjilal took charge on July 25, 2025, after a year as Acting VC since July 2024.
Q2: What are SWAYAM and SWAYAM Prabha?
They are India’s flagship MOOCs and educational DTH channels, coordinated by Prof Kanjilal under the Ministry of Education.
Q3: How many learners does IGNOU serve?
Over 4 million active students across India and 15 overseas partner institutions.