Uttarakhand Open University Begins Golden Jubilee Festivities Ahead of 20th Anniversary,

HALDWANI,,Uttarakhand Open University (UOU), Haldwani, has kicked off year-long celebrations as it approaches its 20th anniversary in October 2025. Vice Chancellor Prof. Naveen Chandra Lohani addressed the press, presenting an overview of planned academic and cultural events, aimed at marking this milestone.

Key Highlights:

• Golden Success Festival:
  The festivities begin with a three-day “Golden Success Festival” starting on August 13, coinciding with Independence Day. This academic and cultural event will include lectures, panel discussions, alumni interactions, and cultural performances. The focus is on academic dialogue and engagement among researchers, alumni, and subject experts.
• Admissions and Outreach:
  UOU is currently running an extensive outreach campaign to inform potential students about its distance education programs. The campaign will roll out in three phases:
  • Plains region (completed August 3–7)
  • Mountain region (August 18–24)
  • Remaining regions (September 1–8)
• Support for Marginalized Communities:
  • Courses for military widows and third-gender individuals will be offered free-of-charge, with a dedicated support cell established for the latter to encourage skill development and self-employment.
• Technology Initiatives:
  • On August 15, the university will launch its community radio app, “Hello Haldwani,” providing students nationwide access to lectures and educational updates.
  • The university is expanding its helpdesk service to operate from 8am to 8pm in two shifts, making support more accessible to working students.
  • UOU plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Roorkee for technical collaboration, enhancing its digital infrastructure and teaching resources.
• Other MoUs:
  Recent agreements with Bengal Engineering University will facilitate scholarships and special programs for military widows and women.

Event Details:

• August 13:
  Academic sessions with alumni and experts, including a keynote by Kumaun University VC Prof. Diwan Singh Rawat, and talks by former BBC journalist Rajesh Joshi.
• August 14:
  Presentations by Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology DG Prof. Durgesh Pant and scientists from FRI Dehradun, plus a special video tribute to UOU’s journey.
• August 15:
  Flag hoisting, address by the Vice Chancellor, and a cultural program.

Prof. Lohani urged media representatives to share regular updates on university initiatives with the public every Wednesday.