I am sure, many of us share a common belief in the supreme value of education as a central tool to fight against poverty,” said Mauritius President Rajkeswur Purryag, while delivering his speech at the 9th convocation ceremony of the KIIT University here on Saturday.
Purryag said that investment in education and human capital is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and help the poor achieve a decent level of income and health. “Our human capital is increasingly regarded as an engine of economic growth and for a more equitable and egalitarian society, we have to use it most effectively,” he asserted.
The President paid special tribute to all Phailin-affected people for facing the adversity with a great sense of fortitude. He lauded the country’s system for accuracy in predicting the storm and also all the stakeholders for evacuating the victims.
On the severity of climate change effects, he said the global leadership should not be silent on addressing environment related problems by giving priority on rapid industrialisation and faster growth. “In the face of natural disasters, we need to ensure a productive recovery through promotion of sustainable economic activities.”
Purryag, whose own grandfather had migrated to Mauritius from a village in Bihar, said that people of Mauritius have special attachment with and profound respect for India as it was the land of their ancestors.
Another attraction of the convocation Nobel laureate (Medicine-2007) Prof Oliver Smithies in his keynote address advised the students to continue learning. “You are getting your degree today, but you have not finished learning. Be like a child and continue learning for rest of your life,” he advised.
The university conferred Honoris Causa of Dlitt and DSc on Purryag and Smithies on the occasion. Similarly, Honoris Causa of Dlitt was also conferred on Indian classical dancer Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh and eminent artist of Sweden Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia. Mansingh and Mahanandia were not present, but the latter’s wife Ann-Charlotte Mahanandia received the honour on his behalf.
A total of 2,769 students of 2012-13 graduating batch of the university received their degrees. Among others, KIIT and KISS founder Achyuta Samanta, university chancellor Prof Nl Mitra, vice chancellor PP Mathur and registrar Dr Sasmita Samanta were present.