IGNOU THE PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY

IGNOU

Preparation Team

Prof. Satyakam, Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Prof. Sumitra Kukreti, Dr S. K. Mohapatra, Dr. M. Singh Meena,
Pro Vice Chancellor Pro Vice Chancellor Pro Vice Chancellor Pro Vice Chancellor Pro Vice Chancellor

Prof. Neeti Agrawal, Ms. Poonam Bhushan, Prof. Nayantara Padhi, Mr. Rajesh Sharma,

Director, P&DD SOE SOMS Asst. Registrar, PIU

Technical Assistance: Mr Manish Barwal & Mr Deepak Mehra, P&DD
Print Production: Shri Rajiv Girdhar, AR, MPDD
Printed at: Chandu Press, Delhi

© Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2022



Awards and Recognitions







MoUs/MoCs/Agreements

 IGNOU Army Education Project (IAEP)  Ministry of Corporate Affairs (Investor
Education and Protection Fund Authority
 The Institute of company Secretaries of (IEPFA)
India (ICSI)
 Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
 National Open Learning Institute Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs
(NOLI)
 National Council of Educational Research
 Investor Education and protection Fund & Training (NCERT)
Authority (IEPF Authority)
 Assam Rifles Education Project
 Prasar Bharti (Broadcasting Corporation
of India)  Ministry of Skill Development Education
(MSDE)
 Indian Navy
 Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
 International Centre for Academics Pvt
Ltd. Kathmandu, Nepal  Central Hindi Directorate (CHD) & Indian
Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
 Broadcast Engineering Consultants
India Ltd.

International Collaborations

 Open Minds International, Singapore
 Guyana online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Guyana
 International Division renewed seven MoAs with the following Overseas Study Centre of the

University:
 Glory Institute, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
 Educational Consulting & Guidance Services, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
 Educational Consulting & Guidance Services, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 Indian Academy W.L.L, Bahrain
 St. Mary’s University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 Centre for Open and Distance Education, Kenya
 Regent International Institute of Higher Education, Gampaha, Srilanka



A Vice Chancellor’s Message

IGNOU came into existence to provide higher education to those segments of society, who for one
reason, or the other could not access conventional education. The University was established in 1985,
by an Act of parliament with the objective of disseminating knowledge through diverse means for
democratizing education.

The initial academic programmes were offered in the areas of Distance Education and Management
studies. Since its inception, the University has embodied the concepts of credit based instruction with
course based registration and modular approach in its offerings. The academic programmes go through
a rigorous scrutiny in different statutory bodies which are held periodically. As a testimony to the
deliberations of the University which takes place through its statutory bodies, the 100th Board of
Management was held in 2009 and the 50th Planning Board was held in 2022 which is a testimony to the regularity through which
the deliberations are held.

Gradually, the university increased its academic footprints and as of now there are 21 school of studies, offering over 300
programmes which are multi and interdisciplinary in nature.
To establish a nucleus of student support there are 67 RCs, more than 2158 study centres and 23 Overseas centres with our
presence in 16 countries providing strong and efficient student support. The enrolment in 5 programmes in 1987-88 was 23,766
which have risen to nearly 12, 89,519 in 2021-22.

Since its inception the University has been using technology enabled education to reach out to its heterogeneous student
population. Initially, audio and video programmes were used to supplement SLMs. Subsequently, digital mode was adopted and
now IGNOU is the national coordinator for the design and delivery of MOOC courses through Government of India’s Swayam

Portal. The Swayam Prabha Channels are being used for imparting education. The University offers 185 MOOCs through the
Swayam Portal besides providing digital content via the IGNOU e-content app, e-gyankosh, Gyan Darshan Channels, radio
broadcast and interactive radio counseling via Gyanvani and FM Radio.

During the year 2021-22, IGNOU has implemented many recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) including
introduction of various UG/PG and new skill based courses focussing on multidisciplinary approach.

The University also offers 41 online programmes to strengthen the learning process. UGC’s Choice Based Credit System (CBCS)
has been offered in the undergraduate programme. The university has been proactive in implementing policies of Government of
India which are an integral part of IGNOU’s vibrant life such as sanitation drives, planation drives, health, hygiene and Yoga
based programmes. The University adopted more than 90 villages under ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’. Currently, ‘Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav is being celebrated by organising 75 lectures of which 71 have already been organised.

It is an honour and privilege for me to present the glorious history of IGNOU through its various initiatives nationally and
internationally. The faculty, academics and the staff at the headquarters and the regional centres are the backbone of the system
providing the impetus to take the University to scale new heights.

(Prof Nageshwar Rao)
Vice Chancellor

A Nostalgic Journey in the Making

Tracing the history of a unique educational institution like IGNOU is an arduous task. This book
tries to relive the memories through events related to its genesis and growth in the form of a
pictorial representation. IGNOU today stands apart for providing accessible, equitable affordable,
flexible and quality education to its learners within India and across the globe through its academic
offerings.

The pictures in this book highlight the major events which have taken place since the inception of
the University in 1985. While selecting the pictures, an attempt has been made to present the events
chronologically and sequence wise.

It is hoped that the reader will go gown the memory lane and appreciate the making of this unique
mega university, which is one of its kind on the educational landscape of the country and indeed the
world.



Visitors of the University

Giani Zail Singh Shri R Venkataraman
(1982 – 1987) (1987 - 1992)

Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Shri K. R. Naryanan
(1992 - 1997) (1997- 2002)

DR. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil
(2002 -2007) (2007 - 2012)

Shri Pranab Mukherjee Shri Ram Nath Kovind
(2012 – 2017) (2017 -2022)

Smt. Droupadi Murmu
(2022 - onwards)

Vice Chancellors

Prof. G. Ram Reddy (Founder) Prof. V. C. Kulandaiswamy
(19-11-1985 to 06-04 -1990) 11-05-1990 to 13-07-1994

Prof. Ram Takwale Prof. Abdul Waheed Khan
(12-01-1995 to 10-04-1998) 01-06-1998 to 24-09-2000

Prof. H.P. Dikshit Prof. V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai
24-06-2001 to 23-06-2006 21-10-2006 to 20-10-2011

Prof. Mohd Aslam Prof. Nageshwar Rao
20-03-2013 to 10-07-2017 26-07-2018 onwards

1985

IGNOU’S Foundation Stone; The Journey Begins…..

Foundation Stone laying ceremony by sh. Rajiv Gandhi, the then Dignitaries at the Foundation stone Laying Ceremony of IGNOU - 1985
PM acoompanies by Sh. Narsimha Rao, MHRD, Prof. G. Ram
Reddy (Founder VC)

Prof. G. Ram Reddy with other dignitaries International Seminar on Distance Education: Experience of
Open Universities, November, 1985

Sh.K.C. Pant, the then minister of Human Resource Development at Blueprint of IGNOU Campus, 1985
the, National Seminar on Distance Education; Experience of Open

Universities.

1986

 Constitution of the first Board of Management and first Planning Board
 Creation of following 6 School of Studies

 School of Management Studies
 School of Humanities
 School of Social Sciences
 School of Sciences
 School of Adult and Continuing Education
 School of Education.

 Setting up of 4 Regional Centres (Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar and Bhopal) and
27 study centres.

 3424 students admitted to Diploma in Management and 1104 students enrolled in
Diploma in Distance Education

1987

The construction of IGNOU campus begins in 1987

1988

UNESCO Conference for functionaries of study centers. Presentation of Architectural Design of IGNOU

Sh. L. P. Shahi, Education and Culture Minister, Govt. of India

1989

1st Convocation, Sh. Rajeev Gandhi, Sh. S. Ramaphal & Prof. G. Ram Reddy, 21st February, 1989

Prof. G. Rama Reddy, Foundation Day Function, 1989 First batch of passouts of Diploma in Management (DIM)

1990

COL – IGNOU Regional Training Workshop

1991

ILA-NISSAT-IGNOU Training course of computer &CD/ISIS

1992

Hon’ble Shri Pranab Mukhrjee, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Workshop on VIII Plan Implementation
inaugurating the Post Production Centre of the Communication Division

Shri. Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resources Development IGNOU Signing MOU with NCERT
at the Third Convocation, 25 April 1992

1993

Inauguration of Video Production Equipment provided by ODA. Prof. James A. Maraj, Lord Briggs of Lewis, Shri R. Venkataraman, Prof. V.
Shri K.C. Pant, Chairman, 10th Finance Commission inaugurated; Sir Nucholas Fenn, the C. Kulandai Swamy, Vice-Chancellor and Prof. G.Ram Reddy at the 4th

British High Commissioner in India, presided over Convocation of the University, held on May 5, 1993

ISRO-IGNOU Teleconferencing Experiment

1994

Staff Residential Complex Foundation Stone laid at IGNOU Campuse by Dr. Manmohan Singh, then Finance Minister, Govt. of India visiting
Sh. Arjun Singh, then Minister of HRD, Govt. of Inida the site of “Sanchar Kendra”

“Sanchar Kendra” (EMPC) Building Foundation Stone laid by 5th Convocation, 1994
Dr. Manmohan Singh, then Finance Minister, Govt. of. India Shri. James A. Maraj, then President of Commnewealth of
Learning (COL) with prof. V.C. Kulandaiswamy, VC, IGNOU

5th Convocation, 1994, Shri. James A. Maraj, then President of COL – IGNOU Workshop on Regional Training Needs in
Commnewealth of Learning (COL) with prof. V.C. Distance Education 2- - 28 July 1994

Kulandaiswamy, VC, IGNOU, Prof. H.P. Dikhit, Sh. K. Narayanan,
Registrar, IGNOU

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. V.C. Kulandaiswamy, presenting Gold
Medal to student at the 5th Convocation

Orientation Programme of Non-Academic Staff of IGNOU
(STRIDE) 30th May & 1st June 1994

1995

STRIDE Training Workshop at Regional Centre Ahmedabad COL – Asian OUs Chancellors Meeting, 1995

Asian Association of Open Universities Conference, 1995 6th Convocation
Prof. G. Ram Reddy, Prof R. J. Takwale, VC, IGNOU, Prof. B.

M . Koul

Chief Guest Sh. Madhvrao Scindia, Union Minister for Human Chief Guest Sh. Madhvrao Scindia, Union Minister for Human
Resource Development, addressing the 6th Convocation Resource Development, addressing the 6th Convocation

Seminar on technologies for educational networking, 1995 COL – IGNOU Partnership: (L-R) Prof. V.C. Kulandaiswamy,
(L-R) Sh. B.S. Bhatia, ISRO, Prof. R.J. Takwale, VC, Prof. Rakesh Sh. Arjun Singh, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Prof. B.N. Koul

Khurana, Director, SOMS

1996

Prof. R.G. Takwale, VC, IGNOU, Prof. V.S. Prasad , PVC, Prof. IGNOU’s Stall at 2nd Delhi Book Fair, 1996: 10-08-96 to 18-8-96
V.R. Mehta , PVC, at the Student Support System in Distance
Education seminar : 7-8 February, 1996

The 7th Convocation was held on May 11, 1996, Justice R.N. Mishra, Chairman, National Human Rights
Commission was the Chief Guest who also delivered the Convocation address & Prof. R.G. Takwale, VC, IGNOU

1997

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Sh. H.D. Deve Gowda, Inaugurating 2nd Anuvart Lecture, Prof. R.G. Takwale, VC, IGNOU. Sh. Nani Palkiwala
“SANCHAR KENDRA”EMPC Building

(L-R) Prof. R. G. Takewale, VC, IGNOU, Sh. H.D. Deve Gowda, Dr. Jai Chandiram, Director (EMPC) Prime Minister of Trinidad and
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Tobago, , visiting EMPC, IGNOU

Sh. Sahib Singh Verma, then Chief Minister of Delhi with Prof. Kapil Construction of IGNOU Campus
Kumar, Prof. R.G. Takwale, Visiting IGNOU Campus

1998

International Conference on Collaborative & Networked Learing 16-18 February , 9th Convocation, Sh. Krishan Kant, then Vice President of India, Prof.
1998 ( Prof. Gamdhy, PVC, Prof. R. G Takuale, VC IGNOU, Prof. Yashpal , Prof. _ R.G. Takwale, VC, IGNOU

PVC

Prof. R.G. Takwale, VC, and Prof. Yashpal, Chairman, UGC Prof. R.G. Takewale, VC, IGNOU, & then Vice President of India, Sh.
Krishan Kant

9th Convocation, Sh. Krishan Kant, then Vice President of India, Prof. 3rd Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture
R.G. Takwale, VC, IGNOU L to R : Prof. A. W. Khan, VC, IGNOU , Ms Poonam Bhushan

1999

10th Convocation (L to R) Ms. Shiela Abbot, Ms. Jane Foster, Prof. A.W. Khan, VC,
(L-R): Ms. Mahasveta Devi, Prof. A.W. Khan, VC, IGNOU, Dr. Karan Singh IGNOU & Sh. K.J.S. Prasada Rao, Registrar, IGNOU

Inauguration of Interactive Radio Phone –in –Counselling at Jaipur on L to R: Dr. Prabha Chawla, Ms, Asha Das, Hon’ble Sh. Murli
27.03.1999 Manohar Joshi, Minister, MHRD, Prof. A. W. Khan, VC, IGNOU, Ms.

Sarojni Thakar

International Conference on Disaster Management: Cooperative Networking
in South Asia

Advocacy of Distance Education 26th Marrch1999 Award of Excellence 1999
(L to R) Prof. G. Dhanarajan, COL, President, Dr. Anu Tomas, Prof.

A.W. Khan, VC, IGNOU

Prof. A.W. Khan, VC, IGNOU, Chaturvedi, RSD, inaugurating SSC at Launching of IGNOU-ARMY EDUCATIONAL PROJECT: 24
IGNOU Head Quarter May, 1999

10th Convocation held on 14th March 1999: Launching of IGNOU-ARMY EDUCATIONAL PROJECT: 24 May,
Ms. Mahasveta Devi, Prof. A.W. Khan, VC, IGNOU, Dr. Karan Singh 1999

2000

Prof. Murti Monhoor Joshi, Minister, MHRD, addressing on the occasion of 11th Convocation :Sh. K.C.Pant, Dy. Chairman Planning Commission, Prof. V.C.
Gyan Darshan Inauguration on 26.1.2000 Kulandaiswamy and Prof. A.W. Khan, VC, IGNOU

11th Convocation 7th Annual Conference “Reaching the Unreached Through Open and
Distance Learning” 2000 - Inauguration of Gyan Darshan Channel

2001

5th Anuvrat Trust Endowment Lecture on Religion and Non-Violence 12th Convocation
Organized by School of Humanities on 15th January, 2001 Dr. M.G.K. Menon speaking at the 12th Convocation

12th Convocation Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister of Science & Technology and
Prof. H.P. Dikshit Vice Chancellor, IGNOU

Teleconferencing IGNOU- Prasar Bharti MOU signing ceremony on 2nd August, 2001

Signing of MOU between IGNOU and DG AFMS for PGDHHM 6th Gram Reddy Lecture 2nd July, 2001: Prof. Ian Macdonald delivers
Programme, 27th August 2001 the lecture

2002

1st Meeting of Board of Governors of SAODI, XV Annual Conference: Asian Association of Open University, 20th
February, 2002

13th Convocation
Prof. Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister of HRD and Prof. H.P. Dikshit,

Vice Chancellor, IGNOU

2003

Inauguration of GYAN DARSHAN-III “Technology Education Channel” 14th Convocation was held on February 22, 2003.
and GYAN VANI FB RADIO CHANNELS Prof. Murli Manohar Joshi,
Minister of HRD and Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Information and

Broadcasting

14th Convocation

2004

15th Convocation address by Field Marshall S.H.F.J. Manekshaw

Plantation Drive 15th Convocation

9th Prof. G.Ram Reddy Memorial lecture Inauguration of Academic Complex of IGNOU by Sh. Arjun Singh,
Minister of HRD

Inauguration of IGNOU Academic Complex by Hon’ble Shri. Arjun National Consultation with Educationists by Shri Arjun Singh, 28th
Singh with H.P. Dikshit, VC, IGNOU on 20th July, 2004 July 2004

Sh. Vishnu Kant Shastri, Governor of UP and Prof. H.P. Dikshit, Vice
Chancellor, IGNOU at EMPC Earth Station

2005

16th Convocation.

Bhutan Delegation

16th Convocation. Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India appointed a Core
Group to monitor Rajiv Gandhi EduSat Supported School Education Project in the
states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh with Prof. H.P.
Dikshit, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU and Chairman, Distance Education Council as the

Co-Chairman of Core Group.