India is poised to become a global leader in distance education: NCVET Chairman

Atul Kumar Tiwari discusses India's potential in distance education, emphasizing technology-driven learning and vocational training initiatives for employability.

Atul Kumar Tiwari, Chairman of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), on Thursday, said India is poised to become a global leader in distance education, with increasing internet penetration and the development of e-learning platforms.

Addressing the 20th annual convocation of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) here, Mr. Tiwari said distance education enrolments, which include those from open universities, constitute 10.62% of the total enrolment in higher education and added that open universities have been playing a significant role in enhancing access to higher education. The admissions indicate that open universities contribute notably to the country’s overall Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), he said.

AI, Adaptive Learning

Stating that open distance learning (ODL) and online education are experiencing unprecedented growth globally, the NCVET Chairman said the rise of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), artificial intelligence-driven adaptive learning, and blended learning models has made education more interactive and engaging.

Countries worldwide are integrating ODL and online learning into their national education policies to bridge skill gaps and meet the demands of evolving economies, he added.

Making an observation that the landscape of online and distance learning is rapidly evolving, Mr. Tiwari said the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 has emphasised the importance of technology-driven education, fostering innovation in digital learning, and expanding the reach of higher education institutions.

Listing out the Centre’s digital learning initiatives, the MSDE Secretary said the government of India has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen ODL and online education. The SWAYAM platform offers high quality courses from premier institutions, ensuring affordability and accessibility for learners across the country.