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Uma Kanjilal – First Woman Vice Chancellor of IGNOU🗓️ Updated: July 25, 2025 | New Delhi

Uma Kanjilal has been appointed the first woman Vice Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), four decades after its establishment.

Professional Background:
- Professor of Library and Information Science since 2003.
- Over 36 years of experience in Open and Distance Learning (ODL).
- Nationally recognised for expertise in e-learning, ICT in libraries, digital libraries, and multimedia courseware.
Leadership Roles at IGNOU:
- Pro Vice Chancellor (March 2021 – July 2024).
- Acting Vice Chancellor before formal appointment.
- Former roles:
  - Director, Centre for Online Education (2019–2021)
  - Director, Inter-University Consortium for Technology Enabled Flexible Education (2016–2019)
  - Director, Advanced Centre for Informatics and Innovative Learning (2012–2013)
  - Director, School of Social Sciences (2007–2010)
  - University Librarian (2004–2006)
National Contributions:
- National Coordinator for SWAYAM & SWAYAM PRABHA – flagship digital education initiatives of the Ministry of Education.

First woman to head IGNOU, the world’s largest open university.
Important for topics in Education Policy, Women Empowerment, ICT in Education, and Digital India initiatives.

Updated - July 25, 2025 05:06 pm | The Hindu

Uma Kanjilal appointed first woman Vice Chancellor of IGNOU