Vice President CP Radhakrishnan today said that the true strength of a nation lies in the knowledge, values and capabilities of its people. He said institutions like IGNOU are playing a key role in strengthening the national skills ecosystem through their regional centres by providing vocational certification and skill training. The Vice President added that such efforts will help India achieve the goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

 

Addressing the 39th Convocation Ceremony of IGNOU held in New Delhi, Mr Radhakrishnan said that the Indira Gandhi National Open University- IGNOU has made the country proud by connecting the entire nation through accessible education and transforming the learning landscape. The Vice President described IGNOU as a pillar of the nation’s open and distance learning ecosystem, noting that it has brought education closer to people, especially those who lacked opportunities in their early years.

 

He said the university has played a transformative role by extending higher education to working individuals, rural populations, financially disadvantaged groups, and women. Mr Radhakrishnan said over 3 lakh 24 thousand students were awarded degrees, making it one of the largest graduating events in the country.

 

He noted with satisfaction that 58 percent of the graduates are women, and a significant number come from rural and marginalised backgrounds, reflecting the university’s role in promoting equity and social mobility. He also praised initiatives like e-GyanKosh, which has attracted over one crore users, demonstrating the growing reach of digital education. He also appreciated the adoption of the National Education Policy, describing it as a step towards strengthening India’s education system.