Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University Visits Indian Institutions to Explore Open and Distance Learning Systems
Professor (Dr) A. B. M. Obaidul Islam, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University (BOU), is currently on an educational tour of India, organised by the Commonwealth of Learning’s Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA). The purpose of this visit is to gain a deeper understanding of India’s Open and Distance Learning (ODL) systems and to foster collaboration between COL-CEMCA and BOU.
As part of his tour, Professor Islam is visiting leading Indian institutions including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). These visits are aimed at exploring India's innovative educational models, particularly in the context of open and distance learning, which caters to a wide range of learners at both the school and tertiary levels.
On 3 March 2025, Professor Islam visited IGNOU, a trailblazer in ODL in India. He engaged with faculty and staff to discuss strategies for enhancing access to quality education through distance learning. The visit highlighted the increasing importance of ODL in addressing educational challenges across South Asia.
The following day, 4 March 2025, Professor Islam visited the NIOS and the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET) under NCERT to gain insights into India’s open schooling system and the role of technology in education.
The tour will conclude with Professor Islam’s participation in the Roundtable of Asian Open Universities’ (OUs) Vice Chancellors, taking place on 6-7 March 2025, at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) in Nashik, Maharashtra. Among other key discussions, the roundtable brings together leaders from across South Asia to discuss the best practices towards skilling and employability in Asian OUs.
Professor Islam’s visit highlights COL-CEMCA’s continued efforts to promote collaboration and knowledge-sharing among Commonwealth nations in Asia. It also reflects BOU’s commitment to strengthening regional ties and adopting innovative educational strategies. This initiative is expected to pave the way for future collaborations between COL-CEMCA and BOU, ultimately benefiting learners in Bangladesh by expanding access to inclusive and high-quality education through ODL systems.
