New Delhi, Dec. 5: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is proud to announce that its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Uma Kanjilal, has been conferred the prestigious Prof. G. Ram Reddy Award for Excellence in Distance Education for the year 2025. The award was presented by Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), on 4 December 2025, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Prof. G. Ram Reddy, a visionary and pioneer in the field of distance education in India.
The award recognises Prof. Kanjilal’s outstanding contributions to Open and Distance Learning (ODL), her leadership in advancing technology-driven education, and her commitment to expanding access to quality higher education in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
To commemorate the occasion, BRAOU and the Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial Trust jointly organised the annual Prof. G. Ram Reddy Memorial Lecture, celebrating the legacy of the eminent educationist whose work laid the foundation for India’s open university system.
Prof. G. Ram Reddy’s contributions to higher education are widely revered. He was instrumental in establishing India’s first Open University, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University, where he served as the founding Vice-Chancellor. His visionary leadership later guided the establishment of IGNOU in New Delhi, where he became the University’s first Vice-Chancellor and architect of a system that has since empowered millions of learners through flexible, inclusive, and lifelong education.
IGNOU congratulates Prof. Uma Kanjilal on receiving this distinguished honour, which reflects the University’s continued commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in distance education.