HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 11: Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHSOU) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day on Thursday, at its City Campus in Resham Nagar, Khanapara, marking two transformative decades as Assam’s premier open and distance learning institution. The occasion brought together academicians, administrators, alumni, learners and invited guests.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Prof Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU and Dr Arupjyoti Choudhury, Vice Chancellor of Madhabdev University. Members of the Board of Management and Academic Council, former Vice Chancellors, University officials, Coordinators, Centre-in-Charges, faculty members, staff, research scholars and media representatives were present in large numbers.
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In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor Prof Rajendra Prasad Das highlighted KKHSOU’s rapid expansion and growing role in Assam’s higher education landscape. He noted that the University contributes nearly 11% of the state’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), enrolling 1.29 lakh learners across more than 50 programmes in the last three admission cycles through extensive digital outreach, including 338 Study Centres and four Regional Centres of which 30 centres operate in district jails.
Prof Das emphasised the University’s social responsibility initiatives, including full fee waivers for jail inmates, persons with disabilities and transgender learners. Under the Mother Teresa Social Welfare Mission, KKHSOU has adopted 11 villages, providing free education, livelihood training, health camps, and awareness programmes. He also shared that the University is progressing toward NCVET recognition as both an Awarding and Assessment Body and is developing the Rani Campus as a Centre for Vocational Excellence, where science and vocational programmes will commence in 2026.
Highlighting digital progress, Prof Das mentioned that 91,539 learners have registered on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and e-Samarth has been implemented to enhance administrative efficiency. He also announced the Government of Assam’s allocation of 1.5 acres of land for a new Silchar Regional Centre. KKHSOU faculties have developed 29 MOOCs on SWAYAM, the highest from any institution in Northeast India, while 52 learners qualified the UGC-NET, including one JRF awardee. Postgraduate programmes in Assamese and online PG programmes will be launched from the next academic session.
Delivering the Foundation Day lecture on the “Role of Emotion in Human History and Society,” Dr Arupjyoti Choudhury discussed the influence of emotions in shaping historical change, citing the Russian Revolution, Moamoria Rebellion and the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971. He stressed balancing emotion with logic for a positive and resilient society.
Prof Uma Kanjilal congratulated KKHSOU on its milestone anniversary, praising its ODL awareness campaigns, ICT-driven practices and diverse learner base. She lauded the introduction of Assamese programmes and encouraged adoption of technologies such as AI, AR/VR and AI-enabled learner support systems, reaffirming IGNOU’s commitment to collaborate on MOOC development and ODL innovation in the Northeast.
The programme felicitated top performers from the 2024–25 academic session, Best Study Centres for highest enrolment—Morigaon College, Cachar College and Manabendra Sarma Girls’ College and winners of the Anti-Ragging Slogan Writing Competition. Learners who qualified the NET examinations for December 2024 and June 2025 were also honoured.
The ceremony concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Prof Pranjit Bora, Registrar, KKHSOU and a cultural programme showcasing the talent and creativity of the University community, hosted by Dr Trisha Dowerah Baruah, Assistant Professor, Discipline of Mass Communication, KKHSOU.
