Hyderabad, Mar 25 (TNT): Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions are transforming into “agentic AI universities” by integrating artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to enhance learning, IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof Uma Kanjilal said on Wednesday.
She was addressing a two-day national conference on “Beyond Boundaries: The New ODL Landscape”, organised by the Indian Distance Education Association (IDEA) in collaboration with Dr B R Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) and other institutions here.
Prof Kanjilal said ODL accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the Gross Enrolment Ratio and plays a crucial role in expanding access to higher education.
She stressed the importance of adopting AI-driven, learner-centric approaches, including AI tutors, virtual reality and augmented reality, to improve the quality of education.
She also highlighted the need for hybrid learning models, stronger industry-academia collaboration and alignment with national initiatives such as Skill India and Digital India.
BRAOU Vice Chancellor Prof Ghanta Chakrapani said ODL has become an essential mode of education, particularly in reaching marginalised sections, and emphasised the need to leverage technology for inclusive access.
Former NAAC Director Prof V S Prasad described ODL as a cost-effective system guided by the principle of accessibility for anyone, anytime and anywhere, while cautioning that technology adoption must be carefully regulated.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, Anandrao Vishnu Patil, in a recorded message, stressed that quality should not be compromised and called for integrating AI and employment-oriented courses in ODL systems.
The conference brought together academicians, policymakers and experts to discuss the future of digital technologies and innovation in distance education.
TNT TS
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