Rairangpur - On the eve of the landmark Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for the permanent campus of the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre Building at Rairangpur, senior officials of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) interacted with media representatives today to underscore the transformative significance of the project for higher education and skill development in northern Odisha.
Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU; Prof. Jitendra Srivastava, Registrar; and Dr. Jitendra Dev Gangwar, Finance Officer, addressed the media and outlined the institution’s vision for the upcoming campus.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Kanjilal described the establishment of the permanent IGNOU campus at Rairangpur as a defining milestone in democratizing access to quality higher education, vocational training, and lifelong learning opportunities across northern Odisha and adjoining regions. She emphasized that the state-of-the-art infrastructure would significantly enhance learner support services and enable the seamless delivery of innovative, future-oriented academic and skill-based programmes.
Prof. Jitendra Srivastava, Registrar, informed the media that meticulous preparations have been completed for the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony, which will be graced by the President of India and the Prime Minister on June 20, 2026. He expressed confidence that the new campus would evolve into a premier hub for inclusive, technology-enabled education, bridging geographical and socio-economic divides.
Dr. Jitendra Dev Gangwar, Finance Officer, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to creating modern, robust academic and administrative facilities. He assured that the project would be executed with efficiency and foresight to serve both present and future generations of learners.
Dr. M. K. Dash, Senior Regional Director, IGNOU Regional Centre, Rairangpur, expressed profound gratitude to the President of India and the Prime Minister for consenting to grace the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony. He noted that the permanent campus would substantially strengthen access to higher education, skill development, and comprehensive learner support in the region. Dr. Dash further highlighted that the new facilities would empower thousands of learners, particularly from rural and tribal communities, and act as a catalyst for the educational and socio-economic advancement of northern Odisha.
