The Indian universities having failed to make their place in the list of world’s top universities is a big challenge for all, said the Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu while addressing the convocation ceremony of the ICFAI university at Indian Institute of Petroleum(IIP) here on Saturday. He said that apart from being interesting, the education should be in accordance with new knowledge and technology emerging on the scene. Suggesting the students to take part in the schemes of national importance like Swachchh Bharat, Naidu said that they should think about society and nation.
He added that true patriotism is in feeling of Sarvdharm Sambhav and Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas.
Congratulating the students, who have got the degrees, Naidu said that because of Information Technology (IT), the world is turning into a global village now. He said that it is a matter of pride that Indian economy has become sixth largest in the world. Terming the youth as the greatest strength and asset of the country, Naidu exhorted them to dream big, set big goals and at the same time, work hard to achieve them.
He invoked Swami Vivekananda and reminded the students of his message of ‘Arise Awake and Stop not till the goal is reached’. He said thins rings more relevant in today's circumstances.
Naidu said that at a time when the world is facing problems like global warming, decreasing biodiversity, drinking water and waste management, the universities should play a key role in redressing these problems.
In his address, Governor Krishan Kant Paul said that the university's work is not to just to distribute degrees but also to impart such education that empowers the students to take on global competition and to gives them the benefit of the knowledge economy. Governor said that the State’s universities should try to make their places in the top institutions of the country. There should be a promotion of "Make in India" policy in the university campus, he opined.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that after the convocation, there is now an opportunity for graduates to move towards their destination in life.
He said that knowledge is valuable only when it becomes the means of development and welfare of mankind. Praising the scientists of IIP for preparing bio-fuel from Pine Needles (Pirul), CM said that Pirul which was once a reason for devastation has now been converted into energy.
The Vice-President and other dignitaries conferred degree of MBA, B Tech, BBA, llB and B Ed to 249 students on the occasion. Eight students were awarded gold medals for their meritorious performance.
The Minister of State for higher education Dhan Singh Rawat, chancellor of ICFAI University M Ramachandran, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh and Director General of police Anil Kumar Rathuri were among others present on the occasion.
Veep accorded warm welcome
The Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu was accorded awarm welcome on his arrival in Dehradun airport on Saturday. The Governor Krishan Kant Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, speaker of State Assembly Premchand Aggarwal, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh and DGP Anil Kumar Rathuri were present at the airport to welcome him.