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Prof Uma Kanjilal appointed as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU

A Professor of Library and Information Science since 2003, Prof Uma Kanjilal has been at the forefront of integrating digital tools in education. She is currently the National Coordinator for the Ministry of Education’s SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA initiatives.

Before assuming the role of Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kanjilal served as Pro Vice Chancellor (March 2021 – July 2024)

Before assuming the role of Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kanjilal served as Pro Vice Chancellor from March, 2021 to July, 2024

Uma Kanjilal has been appointed as the Vice Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), becoming the first woman to hold the post since the university’s establishment in 1985. The announcement was made by IGNOU on Thursday, marking exactly one year since she took over as Acting Vice Chancellor on July 25, 2024.

With over 36 years of experience in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system, Kanjilal has been associated with IGNOU in several key academic and administrative roles. Prior to her current role, she served as Pro Vice Chancellor from March 2021 to July 2024.

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She has also led several university bodies in the past, including the Centre for Online Education, the Inter-University Consortium for Technology Enabled Flexible Education, the Advanced Centre for Informatics and Innovative Learning, and the School of Social Sciences.

A Professor of Library and Information Science since 2003, Kanjilal is known for her work in digital education, e-learning, and ICT in libraries.

She has contributed to several national digital education initiatives and is currently the National Coordinator for SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA — two programmes launched by the Ministry of Education to expand access to online learning and educational television.

“She brings a wealth of academic leadership, digital innovation, and institutional knowledge to the helm,” IGNOU said in a statement on Friday, adding that her appointment is a “historic milestone” for the university.

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She was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign from 1999 to 2000 and has worked with the UNRWA in Jordan.

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