In line with the National Education Policy, 2020 IGNOU has been making efforts to offer higher education in regional languages. In this sequence, the MBA study materials of IGNOU have been released by Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji on 21.01.2025 in a function at Jayadev Bhawan, Sachivalaya Marg, Bhubaneswar. Shri Pradhan was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Sports & Youth Services, Govt. of Odisha and Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister of State for Skill Development, Technical Education and Industries, Govt. of Odisha graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. The release ceremony took place in the august presence of Prof. T G Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education [AICTE], Govt. of India and Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU and Shri Mrutyunjay Behera, Economic Advisor and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
Union Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan lauded the contribution of IGNOU in spreading quality higher education in the nooks and corners of the country. Shri Pradhan emphasized the importance of higher education in mother tongue and underlined the evolution of thought process in mother tongue as a scientific phenomenon. He went on to say that innovative thoughts are inspired when one learns in one’s mother tongue. He also emphasized that love for one’s mother tongue does not imply undermining English or any other language. He thanked both IGNOU and AICTE for the launching of study materials of technical and professional education in different regional languages and expected that in the days to come, IGNOU will make endeavours to offer more and more programmes in the regional languages including in Odia.
Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha appreciated the role of the Union Ministry of Education in spreading education in the mother tongue. He went on to add that Odisha is in the process of implementing different facets of the National Education Policy, 2020 of which provision of education in Mother Tongue is a great part. He praised IGNOU’s activities in spreading higher education in the country irrespective of caste, creed, region, gender and age. He said that IGNOU has a great potential to offer higher education to the youth and working people of Odisha who constitute a very substantial portion of the state population.
Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister, Govt. of Odisha appreciated the role of IGNOU in the process of providing education in an inclusive manner to different sections of the society. He offered all help and cooperation in furtherance of IGNOU’s efforts in spreading education in the State in general and technical education in particular.
Prof. Prof. T G Sitharam added that in line with the National Education Policy, 2020 of offering technical education in the region in regional languages, AICTE has been making efforts to have study materials in the regional language. He appreciated the efforts of IGNOU as a partner in this noble venture.
Prof. Uma Kanjilal, VC, IGNOU spoke regarding the mandate of IGNOU in providing quality higher education to all sections of the society at affordable prices at their doorstep. She informed that Odia was the 2nd language after English in which IGNOU is now going to offer its management programme. She lauded the efforts of IGNOU Management faculty and the experts in this venture. While informing the audience that RC-Bhubaneswar has already got four University Gold Medals for Best Student Services, she praised the efforts of RC-Bhubaneswar in offering the programmes of the University and carrying out all its innovative activities.
Professor Nayantara Padhi, Faculty of Management Studies, IGNOU thanked the experts of the Management faculties from across the State of Odisha in the making of the MBA study materials in Odia language. She also thanked the Ministry of Education for its earnest efforts to spread higher education in mother tongue.
Dr S K Tripathy, Sr. Regional Director, IGNOU RC, Bhubaneswar offered the Vote of Thanks, Dr Srikant Mohapatra, Former Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU and Former Vice Chancellor of Odisha State Open University, Dr M K Das, Regional Director, Regional Evaluation Centre, Bhubaneswar, Prof. M S S Raju, Prof. Shukla from IGNOU Headquarters, officials of IGNOU Regional Centre, Bhubaneswar and Regional Evaluation Centre, Bhubaneswar, Vice Chancellors of State Universities, Principals, academic counsellors of IGNOU and students were also present in the occasion.
