Hyd : BRAOU to open foreign languages centre soon
Hyderabad, Aug 28 (TNT): Dr B R Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) will soon establish a Foreign Languages Centre as part of its efforts to expand academic opportunities and strengthen its digital education initiatives, Vice-Chancellor Prof Ghanta Chakrapani said on Friday.
Speaking at the university’s 45th Foundation Day celebrations here, Chakrapani said BRAOU was transforming into a digital and online university by adopting modern technology, online education and artificial intelligence.
He said the university had played a key role in making higher education accessible to students from different social and economic backgrounds and was now focusing on inclusiveness, accessibility and quality education.
The university had introduced several digital initiatives and recently started an “AI for Teachers” course for teachers working in government schools, he said the University Grants Commission had also permitted BRAOU to offer courses in digital and online modes.
Chakrapani said the university was progressing with the support of the Telangana government and in line with the vision of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy.
The university celebrated its Foundation Day with a special lecture on “BRAOU and the Promise of Democratised Education”. Academic Director Prof G Pushpa Chakrapani presided over the programme.
Dr B Shadrach, Director of the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), New Delhi, delivered the keynote address.
Shadrach said open and distance learning, supported by digital technologies and open educational resources, could expand access to quality higher education beyond geographical and socio-economic barriers.
He said digital learning enabled students to pursue education according to their time, pace, language and individual requirements. Farmers, homemakers and working professionals could benefit from such flexible learning models, he said.
Shadrach also highlighted BRAOU’s digital initiatives, including BRAOU TV, Hi-BRAOU Digital Radio, iBooks and its integrated DigiLibrary, which provide learners access to educational content through multiple platforms and devices.
Prof G Pushpa Chakrapani said the university remained committed to social justice and inclusive education and was updating its academic policies in accordance with changing student requirements. She outlined recent academic reforms, newly approved UGC courses and the university’s transition towards a digital education model.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the statue of Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar and the portrait of Prof G Ram Reddy, a pioneer of distance education in the country.
Registrar Dr L Vijaya Krishna Reddy, senior faculty members, former Vice-Chancellors and faculty members, heads of departments, deans, employee association representatives and teaching and non-teaching staff attended the programme.
TNT TS
