Panjab University celebrates World Distance Learning Day
The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, celebrated World Distance Learning Day for the first time, highlighting the role of online education in expanding access to higher education.
City Air News
Sep 30, 2026 11:29
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Chandigarh, 30 September 2026: The Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE), Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, celebrated World Distance Learning Day for the first time, highlighting the role of online education in expanding access to higher education.
The event focused on how distance and online education can help overcome geographical, economic and social barriers and provide learning opportunities to students who may not have access to conventional education.
Director, CDOE, Prof Geeta Bansal, in her welcome address, spoke about the Centre’s journey and its initiatives to expand access to distance and online learning.
Chief Guest and Pro-Chancellor of Maharaja Agrasen University, Prof Rakesh Kumar Gupta, spoke on the theme, ‘Distance Learning, Breaking the Barrier, Building the Futures’. He highlighted the cost-effectiveness of online education and its potential to reach learners who have limited access to conventional academic opportunities.
Guest of Honour and Director, Public Relations, PU, Dr Vineet Punia, spoke about the growing role of artificial intelligence in education. He also said online education now offers academic rigour and outcomes comparable to offline education.
A coffee-table book featuring student testimonials, visual narratives and faculty profiles was released during the programme. The 28th edition of the Indian Journal of Distance Education, edited by Prof Sheena Pall, was also released.
Students also shared their experiences through video testimonials, highlighting the role of distance education in providing them with learning opportunities.
The programme also included a prize distribution ceremony to honour students who distinguished themselves through outstanding academic performance and excelled in competitions held as part of the programme.
Convenor of the Seminar Committee, Dr Rajni Jassal and Dr Sucha Singh also spoke on the occasion.
The programme concluded with a focus on the role of distance and online education in making higher education more accessible and inclusive.
