Uttarakhand Governor Dr KK Paul stressed on the need for encouraging innovation, inculcating cultural values and developing character among the students as part of their education. While addressing the convocation of ICFAI University, Dehradun, on Saturday, he said it was of great importance to instil in each individual the spirit of ‘Indian-ness’, the core values of our culture and a commitment to serve the society.
“About education, it can be said that it is not preparation for life; education is life itself. It is the passport to the future, as tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” he said. Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world, he added.
Congratulating the passing- out students, the Governor said they must take advantage of ‘Start ups’ and ‘Make in India ‘initiatives. “Always look out for possibilities of becoming job providers, not just job-seekers.” The university must establish a special cell to provide guidance on Start Ups and also coordinate with industries to get students placed, he said.
Today’s new generation was very powerful as it had at its disposal the amazing technology which it could use for improving society and the nation, he said while urging the students to remember that they will be rewarded for their intelligence, hard work, discipline, courage, loyalty and, perhaps above all, love and a generosity of spirit.
“The need to make critical reforms in our educational system was more compelling now, in many ways, than at any time before. Towards this end, the private sector has been encouraged to play a larger role in our educational system. Curriculum planners must draw up courses that are not just job- oriented but also futuristic. This will ensure better and ready employability. Besides, the students need to be encouraged to explore their own creativity, instead of reproducing received knowledge,” Dr Paul said.
“State Universities must aim at including in their curriculum such areas of knowledge which are relevant to the hill state such as prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, hill farming, harnessing energy, effective use of bio-resources, herbal medicines and infrastructural development. There is a need to motivate research students to work on cyber crimes and prevention of cyber attacks. For this, the university must have a good computer department with cyber security as a specialisation.”
The Governor told the students that each one of them should be a front-runner in the nation-building exercise. “In all your endeavours, demonstrate sagacity and compassion, resolution and vision. look within your heart to find not just your mission but also the means for achieving it.
Earlier, the Governor unveiled the “Wall of Heroes” at the university campus. A total of 215 degrees were awarded at the convocation ceremony. The university awarded Ph.D Degree to one scholar, MBA degree to 46 students, ll M degree to one student, BTech. degree to 59 students, BBA llB degree to 101 students and BEd degree to seven students.