Overview

• The MoU was signed on June 9 in Bhubaneswar by Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and IGNOU Vice Chancellor Uma Kanjilal to formalise delivery of IGNOU courses in Odia.
• The partnership covers translation and delivery of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and certificate programmes across disciplines such as sociology, history, economics, rural development and social work.
• Professional and vocational courses including BBA, MBA and tourism management will also be provided entirely in Odia with printed and digital study materials, counselling and learner support services.
• Translation and content development is underway in collaboration with subject matter experts and language specialists to prepare comprehensive Odia-language resources.
• The initiative aligns with NEP 2020’s focus on multilingual education and is expected to boost Odisha’s gross enrolment ratio, reduce dropout rates and foster students’ creativity by removing language barriers.