Recognized as a Champion of Open Policy
Sanjaya Mishra recognized the role of open learning early in 1993 when he joined the Indira Gandhi National Open University, where he contributed to staff training and helped several universities adopt distance education practices. At UNESCO, he championed open access to scientific information and contributed to the development of UNESCO’s open access policy. At the Commonwealth of Learning, his work has led to adoption of policies for OER at national and institutional levels.
Sanjaya stands as a pivotal figure in the global open education movement, his leadership deeply woven into the work of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). At COL, Dr. Mishra doesn’t just advocate for open education; he strategically architects systems, builds capacity, and fosters communities to make it a tangible reality, particularly for the marginalized and underserved.
A profound understanding of open education characterizes his leadership as a lever for equity and access. He recognizes that traditional educational barriers – such as cost, distance, and infrastructure – are often insurmountable in developing nations. Open Educational Resources (OER) and open practices, therefore, are not merely academic concepts in his work, but essential tools for democratizing quality education. At COL, he translates this vision into actionable strategy and policy influence.
Dr. Mishra understands that sustainable open education requires robust frameworks. He has been instrumental in advocating for and supporting the development of national OER policies in numerous Commonwealth countries. His work provides governments with the evidence, models, and technical guidance needed to institutionalize openness within their education systems, moving beyond isolated projects to systemic transformation. The ‘Guidelines on the Development of Open Educational Resources Policies‘ that he contributed to is a key resource supporting change and progress at the policy level. While serving at UNESCO, he authored the UNESCO Open Access Strategy (2011-2018). He contributed to the adoption of the Open Access policy at UNESCO.
Recognizing that tools and policies are only practical with skilled practitioners, Dr. Mishra places immense emphasis on capacity building, especially of teachers. He spearheads and contributes to the design of innovative training programs, workshops, and resources (often openly licensed themselves) that empower educators, instructional designers, and policymakers. His focus is on practical skills: finding, adapting, creating, and effectively utilizing OER, as well as implementing open pedagogies like Open Educational Practices (OEP). Dr Mishra conceptualised and developed the course on ‘Understanding Open Educational Resources‘ at COL, which has an enrollment of over 35,000 users.
Sanjaya is a pragmatic visionary leader in the field of open education. Over the last 30 years, he has made significant contributions to the promotion and development of open education through capacity building, policy development, and online learning. He combines deep scholarship with practical action, policy acumen with grassroots empowerment, and a global outlook with a commitment to local impact. He inspires not just through words, but through the tangible pathways to openness he helps create, leaving an indelible mark on the educational landscape across the Commonwealth and beyond. His work fundamentally asks and addresses: “How can openness genuinely serve those who need education the most?” Sanjaya’s contributions form a cohesive narrative advancing the global mission of open education.
Learn More
- Dr Sanjaya Mishra (Commonwealth of Learning)
- Guidelines on the Development of Open Educational Resources Policies (Commonwealth of Learning)
