Media Release

Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Education, Government of India, Highlights Accessible and Affordable Quality Higher Education at the 28th Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture

Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Union Minister of State for Education, Government of India, delivered a compelling address at the prestigious 28th Prof. G Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture, emphasizing the crucial role of IGNOU in providing affordable and high-quality higher education to all segments of society. The event, held at the university's HQ, celebrated the vision and contributions of Prof. G Ram Reddy, the esteemed founder Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU.

During his keynote speech, Dr. Subhas Sarkar praised Prof. G Ram Reddy's immense contribution to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) not only within India but also globally. He commended the university for its remarkable progress over the past 36 years, becoming the largest university in the world with an impressive enrollment of 3.5 million students and a supportive alumni community of 3.9 million.

Highlighting the university's achievements in both ODL and Online Education, the Hon'ble Minister applauded IGNOU's commitment to equity, accessibility, quality, and affordability. He acknowledged the university's success in reaching out to working professionals and individuals who had previously discontinued their education, emphasizing that IGNOU's student body of 3.5 million learners from diverse backgrounds is a testament to the realization of Prof. G Ram Reddy's vision.

During the lecture, Dr. Sarkar emphasized the importance of the National Educational Policy 2020 in revolutionizing the education landscape of India. This visionary policy aims to bring about a transformative change by nurturing learners' holistic development and equipping them with essential 21st-century skills.

Prof. Kapil Kapoor, a renowned linguist, also spoke at the event, shedding light on the Indian perspective of knowledge in contrast to Western views. He emphasized the Indian belief in knowledge as a path to enlightenment, as opposed to the Western perception of knowledge as a means to attain power.

Prof. Kapoor also emphasized that the oral tradition, dialogical pedagogy, and the transmission of knowledge through storytelling and discourses have been intrinsic to the Indian educational framework.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU, expressed his gratitude towards the Chief Guest, Dr. Subhas Sarkar, for his presence and recognized the pivotal role of Prof. G Ram Reddy in shaping the university's mission. Prof. Rao highlighted IGNOU's commitment to extending the founding Vice-Chancellor's vision, aiming to bring the light of higher education to all sections of society, including the underprivileged.

The event also showcased various programs and exhibitions to demonstrate the university's dedication to excellence in education. Dr. Subhas Sarkar, in the presence of Prof. Nageshwar Rao and other university officials, participated in the naming ceremony of Block-15 as Swami Vivekananda Bhawan, symbolizing IGNOU's commitment to fostering excellence. Additionally, a Painting Exhibition organized by SOPVA showcased the artistic talents of students, while the Innovation and Start-up Exhibition by NCIDE exhibited the entrepreneurial endeavors and innovative projects of IGNOU learners.

In conjunction with the event, the School of Sciences and the School of Humanities launched a series of new programs, further expanding IGNOU's academic offerings. The occasion also included the screening of a film highlighting the extraordinary life and work of Prof. G Ram Reddy, presented by EMPC.