Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) today held its 39th Convocation for Jammu & Kashmir at Government Dental College Srinagar.Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir,i Nazir Ahmad Ganie, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir and Commissioner Secretary, Government of J&K Saurabh Bhagat were present on the occasion. A total of 344 degrees were conferred to learners during the regional function, while10,989 students received degrees overall from the Srinagar Regional Centre.
On the occasion, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST K Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai said that education must transcend the narrow pursuit of employment and instead focus on enlightenment, adaptability, and service to society.
Addressing students during the ersity, Prof Ganai lauded the resilience of distance learners, describing them as a “rare breed” who balance academic pursuits with personal and professional responsibilities. While the main Convocation function was held in New Delhi, IGNOU regional centre Srinagar organised a function at Government Dental College Srinagar to celebrate 39th convocation and award degrees to the students.
VC SKUAST-K congratulated the graduating students and said their achievement was not easy, as distance education demands perseverance and discipline.
“You studied between work shifts, submitted assignments at midnight, and fulfilled roles as parents and earners. That alone makes you extraordinary,” he said.
He further highlighted the growing relevance of open and distance learning and termed IGNOU a “democratic revolution in education.”He said IGNOU has vast outreach to marginalized sections including defence personnel, homemakers, working professionals, and differently-abled individuals.
“It has dissolved barriers of geography and circumstance, bringing higher education within reach of millions,” he added.
Ganai said that in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital economies, and climate challenges, the knowledge acquired by students is “valuable but not sufficient.”
He stressed the need for continuous learning, urging graduates to “learn, unlearn and relearn” to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
“The half-life of skills is shrinking due to technological advancements. Your greatest competitive advantage is not your degree, but your adaptability,” he said.
He quoted Albert Einstein’s idea that education is about training the mind to think rather than memorizing facts.
