Hyderabad: Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) awarded 60,288 degrees, diplomas, and certificates at its 26th convocation held on Tuesday. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, addressing the gathering, urged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, technology, and ethics while supporting inclusive education.
Of the total recipients, 35,346 received undergraduate degrees and 24,942 earned postgraduate degrees. The convocation also recognised 203 incarcerated learners, 55 Ph.D. scholars, and seven transgender graduates. BRAOU conferred Honoris Causa D.Litt. degrees on poet Gorati Venkanna and global peace educator Prem Rawat. The university also presented 86 gold medals, 67 of which went to women, along with four book prizes.
The Governor praised BRAOU’s progress in digital learning and skills training, calling it vital for national development. He commended the university’s SAMATHA initiative, which offers freeships to Adivasi, transgender, and disabled students.
“BRAOU opens doors to working professionals, homemakers, older adults, learners with disabilities, and even prison inmates,” he said.
He noted that today’s industries prioritise adaptability, collaboration, communication, and digital fluency over memorisation. “As we move into the AI era, technology offers challenges and vast opportunities. Embrace it, but hold on to creativity, empathy, and ethics,” he added.
IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof. Uma Kanjilal also addressed the convocation. She highlighted the impact of Open, Distance, and Digital Learning in advancing access, equity, and job readiness.
