Vice-Chancellor
Dear Esteemed Learners and Stakeholders,
It is with immense pride and enthusiasm that I share a pivotal moment in the illustrious history of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University. Since our inception in 1982 as India's first Open University, BRAOU has been a beacon of accessible higher education, dedicated to reaching every corner of the society, particularly the unreached. Our commitment to inclusive education has facilitated over six lakh students graduate, with a remarkable representation from women, rural, tribal, and disadvantaged communities.
Today, we are thrilled to announce a paradigm shift in our core mission and strategic direction. While our dedication to comprehensive degree programs remains steadfast, BRAOU is evolving to become a dynamic hub for skill development, vocational training, and direct employment generation. This transformation aligns perfectly with national imperatives and global educational trends, empowering our learners to acquire knowledge and earn, innovate, and lead in a rapidly changing world.
To symbolize this profound evolution and our forward-looking vision, I am also delighted to announce that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University has unveiled a new logo. This refreshed visual identity will represent our commitment to innovation, skill empowerment, and the bright future we are building together. It will serve as a modern emblem of our enduring legacy and our renewed focus on practical, employment-centric education. We believe this new logo will resonate with our diverse student body and stakeholders, reflecting the vibrant and progressive spirit of BRAOU.
Stipend-based Education Program (STEP): This flagship initiative allows our undergraduate students to gain invaluable hands-on experience through apprenticeships, earning a significant stipend of Rs.7,000/- to Rs.24,000/- per month while they learn. Our partnership with the Retailers Association’s Skill Council of India (RASCI) will initially reach 10,000 learners, strongly focusing on empowering women
WE-Enable Programme: In collaboration with WeHub, India's first state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs, this program fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills among our female students. We aim to empower 2,000 women learners annually to become problem-solvers and innovators.
Strategic Skilling Collaborations: We are expanding our reach through vital partnerships. With the Swamy Ramanand Tirtha Rural Institute, we will offer short-duration vocational courses to 5,000 rural and tribal learners. Our upcoming collaboration with Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) aims to enroll 10,000 candidates annually, reaching one lakh households over the next decade. Additionally, partnerships with IDEAS and the KP Singh Foundation will provide crucial language and life skills training to 10,000 graduates annually.
Samatha Freeships & Nipuna Fellowships: Upholding our commitment to equity, we have introduced new scholarship schemes. The Samatha Freeship offers free education to Adivasi, primitive tribes, transgender people, the physically challenged, and divyangjans. The Nipuna Fellowships will support skill development, vocational training, and language learning for all disadvantaged groups, with costs entirely borne by the university. These schemes will benefit at least 5,000 learners annually.
Digital Transformation & Flexible Pathways: We are investing significantly in a five-year plan for total digitization, including an advanced ERP system and dynamic LMS, supported by PM USHA funding. Our new Lateral Entry Policy embraces UGC's flexible regulations, allowing simultaneous degrees, credit integration for skill-based courses, and accelerated learning paths. We are also actively seeking collaborations with technical universities to ensure B.Sc./B.Tech. Degrees are available to engineering students, and pathways are also provided for engineering dropouts, polytechnics, and ITI graduates.
Our vision for BRAOU is to achieve an A++ NAAC Grade and become the top State Open University in the NIRF rankings within the next five years. More importantly, we aspire to reach every household in Telangana within the next decade, making skill-based, employment- oriented education a reality for all.
This is an exciting time for BRAOU, as we redefine the landscape of open education and contribute significantly to our state and nation's skilling and economic empowerment. We invite you to join us on this transformative journey.
Best,
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Open University