The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) marked its 40th Foundation Day with the launch of two micro-credential courses developed in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Germany’s federal agency for international cooperation. The announcement was made at IGNOU’s headquarters in the presence of Prof Peter Scott, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Prof Uma Kanjilal, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, and senior representatives from GIZ.
IGNOU came up with two fresh products: "Unpacking AI": Practical Foundations for Non-Tech Students and "Unpacking Data": Practical Foundations for Non-Tech Students. These subjects are focused on students with no technological background who want to get the gist of the basic digital and analytical concepts that are becoming more and more a part of the modern work environment. According to the university, the courses will be accessible on the SWAYAM platform from January 2026.
These micro-credentials will cover fundamental ideas, tools, and applications across artificial intelligence and data-driven systems. The curriculum is developed to provide practical learning, helping students and professionals gain competencies that support employability across sectors such as services, education, administration, and digital industries.
New Micro-Credential Courses by IGNOU: What are they Aimed at?
According to IGNOU, the move is in line with the increasing demand for essential digital skills as the workplaces are getting technologically advanced. These programs have been designed to provide brief, modular learning pathways which a learner can take up either individually or combine to achieve higher academic or professional objectives.
Speaking at the Foundation Day event, Vice Chancellor Prof. Uma Kanjilal said that the micro-credentials “reflect our vision to create learning pathways that are flexible, relevant, and aligned with the future of work.” She also noted that the partnership with GIZ strengthens IGNOU’s strategy to expand capacity-building programs in emerging domains.
Senior executives from GIZ highlighted the need for well-organised digital learning for non-technical users. According to them, such projects make it possible for more people to take part in a technology-driven economy. They also pointed out that just a few, very basic, and targeted courses could be instrumental in eliminating the problem of digital readiness among different learner groups.
IGNOU conveyed that the partnership with GIZ is a move further into its already ongoing large-scale skill-based and technological programs. The university has been implementing flexible, outcome-based learning formats, and the new micro-credentials are just another step in its mission to deliver accessible, high-quality education to students, working professionals, and lifelong learners all over India.
