First woman Vice Chancellor of IGNOU

• There has been a significant change in the history of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as Professor Uma Kanjilal has been appointed as the first woman Vice-Chancellor of the University.
• This comes more than four decades after the establishment of IGNOU.

Prof. Uma Kanjilal: A Landmark Appointment

• Prof. Uma Kanjilal has been formally appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU on 25 July 2025. This appointment is a historic moment in the Indian education world, especially in the field of Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
• Experience and Expertise: Professor Kanjilal has vast experience of over three decades in ODL systems, digital education and academic leadership. She has a deep understanding of academic leadership and digital innovation required to lead one of the largest open universities in the world.
• Previous Roles: Before being appointed Vice-Chancellor, she was serving as the Acting Vice-Chancellor since July 2024. Prior to this, she also served as Pro-Vice Chancellor from March 2021 to July 2024. While at IGNOU, she has held several key academic and administrative responsibilities, including positions such as Director of the Centre for Online Education and Director of the School of Social Sciences.
• International Experience: Her experience is not limited to India. She has been a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Illinois (USA) in 1999-2000 and has also worked with UNRWA in Jordan.
• Contribution: Currently, she is also the National Coordinator of SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA, important online education expansion programs of the Government of India.