West and Central Region Open Universities Collaborate to Boost Graduate Employability
The final workshop in the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) series on Graduate Employability (GE) Framework Development was held from 27–29 March 2025 in Ahmedabad, India. Hosted by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU), the event brought together representatives from M. P. Bhoj Open University (Bhopal), Pandit Sundarlal Sharma Open University (Bilaspur), Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (Nashik), and BAOU. The workshop aimed to develop institutional frameworks to enhance the career prospects of open university (OU) students across India.
In her presidential address, Professor Ami Upadhyaya, Vice Chancellor of BAOU, commended COL and CEMCA for spearheading this transformative initiative and fostering collaboration among OUs. She stressed that faculty development efforts must translate into tangible benefits for learners, equipping them with employable skills. Professor Upadhyaya emphasised the pivotal role of educators in this mission, urging them to execute it with passion and commitment. She also called for adopting a rigorous outcome focus, moving beyond enrolment metrics to evaluate real student progress. Highlighting the importance of execution, she remarked, “Planning without action is futile, just as action without planning is aimless—neither will yield the desired outcomes.”
Dr B. Shadrach, Director of COL-CEMCA, delivered the keynote address, linking the GE project to India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He noted that NEP 2020 aligns education with skill development while promoting Indian values and global citizenship. Dr Shadrach described the GE initiative—jointly led by 18 Indian OUs—as a strategic step toward this vision. He urged OUs to adapt to evolving skilling trends and collaborate with key stakeholders such as the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and Sector Skill Councils. Additionally, he highlighted the National Institutional Ranking Framework’s (NIRF) focus on employability, encouraging OUs to leverage it for improved rankings.
Shri Bharat Patel, Chairman of Needs Information Services Ltd., underscored the role of education in national development during his special address. He advocated for bridging the industry-education gap through emerging technologies like AI, along with soft skills training and stronger industry partnerships. “India’s 18 OUs, including IGNOU, are vital in building a skilled workforce, but proactive measures are needed to align curricula with market demands,” he stated.
Professor Nilesh Modi of BAOU reiterated OUs’ responsibility in enhancing student employability. “Collective efforts will lead to robust frameworks, ensuring learners are both future-ready and job-ready,” he said. Professor Anirban Ghosh, COL-CEMCA consultant, emphasised the urgency of integrating 21st-century skills into OU curricula. He noted the participation of IGNOU in the project and highlighted the workshop’s interactive sessions as crucial for drafting actionable employability frameworks.
The workshop concluded with participating universities pledging to develop tailored GE frameworks, aligning open education with industry needs and national skilling goals. This initiative marks a significant stride toward preparing graduates for a dynamic workforce while reinforcing the role of OUs in India’s educational and economic growth.
