The Commonwealth of Learning-Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA), collaborated as the Knowledge Partner for the “Himalayan Bodh – 3rd All-India IQAC Workshop 2026,” organised by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, on 26 July 2026.

Held in hybrid mode at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium, Uttaranchal University, the workshop brought together eminent academicians, policymakers, industry experts, researchers, Vice-Chancellors, Directors, Principals, IQAC Coordinators, faculty members and higher education administrators from 23 States and Union Territories to deliberate on Outcome-Based Education (OBE), National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation, sustainability, artificial intelligence, research integrity, internationalisation and future-ready higher education.

The workshop featured discussions on Outcome-Based Education (OBE), accreditation, sustainability, artificial intelligence, research integrity, internationalisation and future-ready higher education. Participants exchanged perspectives on strengthening institutional quality systems while preparing higher education institutions to respond to emerging educational and technological developments.

Welcoming the gathering, Er. Rajesh Deorari, Director, Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Uttaranchal University, highlighted the objectives of the workshop and emphasised that quality assurance, accreditation, digital transformation, sustainability and responsible adoption of emerging technologies have become indispensable for building globally competitive higher education institutions. He observed that collaborative learning platforms such as Himalayan Bodh play an important role in strengthening institutional capacity and promoting best practices across Indian higher education institutions.

In his keynote address, The Chief Guest, Prof TG Sitharam, former Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), emphasised that excellence in higher education must be driven by innovation, quality assurance, institutional leadership, multidisciplinary education, research excellence and international collaboration.

Delivering the valedictory address, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, urged higher education institutions to move “beyond the digital treadmill” by reimagining quality assurance for the AI era. He emphasised that online and blended learning must evolve beyond the mere digitisation of traditional practices to focus on intentional instructional design, authentic assessment, ethical AI integration, and learner-centred support systems. Highlighting the importance of critical thinking, employability, lifelong learning, and continuous quality enhancement, he called upon IQACs to serve as strategic catalysts in preparing institutions and graduates for the rapidly changing future of education and work.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing on strengthening quality assurance systems that are innovative, inclusive and responsive to the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and digital transformation in higher education.

COL-CEMCA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting higher education institutions through capacity building, technology-enabled learning, quality assurance initiatives and collaborative partnerships.