New Delhi: The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has appointed Prof. Uma Kanjilal as its new Vice Chancellor, making her the first woman to lead the institution since its inception. She had been serving as Acting Vice Chancellor since July 25, 2024.
Prof. Kanjilal brings over 36 years of experience in the Open and Distance Learning system. She has held several key positions at IGNOU including Pro Vice Chancellor and Director of multiple academic and digital education centres. A Professor of Library and Information Science since 2003, she is widely recognized for her work in e-learning, digital libraries, and multimedia courseware.
She currently serves as the National Coordinator for SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA, flagship digital initiatives of the Ministry of Education. Internationally, she has contributed to educational development through her Fulbright Fellowship in the U.S. and consultancy roles with the Commonwealth of Learning and UNRWA.
Prof. Kanjilal’s leadership is expected to strengthen IGNOU’s digital transformation and implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. Her appointment comes at a time when IGNOU is expanding its role in providing inclusive, flexible, and technology-driven education in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
