Thu Mar 27 14:01:07 UTC 2025: ## India Poised to Lead in Distance Education, Says NCVET Chairman
**Mysuru, March 27, 2025** – India is on the verge of becoming a global leader in distance education, driven by rising internet access and the expansion of e-learning platforms, according to Atul Kumar Tiwari, Chairman of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). Speaking at the Karnataka State Open University’s (KSOU) 20th annual convocation, Tiwari highlighted the significant contribution of open universities to India’s higher education enrollment, accounting for 10.62% of the total.
Tiwari emphasized the global surge in open distance learning (ODL) and online education, fueled by MOOCs, AI-driven learning, and blended learning models. He noted that countries worldwide are incorporating ODL into national education policies to address skill gaps and economic demands. India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 underscores the importance of technology-driven education, aligning with this global trend.
The NCVET Chairman detailed several government initiatives bolstering ODL, including the SWAYAM platform, the envisioned National Digital University, the NSDC and Skill India Mission (with programs like PMKVY), the National Digital Library of India, and the DIKSHA platform. These programs aim to bridge the education-employment gap and promote digital transformation in the education sector.
Tiwari also stressed the importance of bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry skills, a focus of the NCVET and various skill development programs. KSOU was praised for its role in this educational transformation.
The convocation, presided over by Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, saw the conferment of honorary doctorates and the awarding of degrees to 17,348 candidates.
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