Addressing the 28th convocation function of the Sambalpur University here on Saturday, Governor and Chancellor of the universities Dr SC Jamir lamented that not a single university of the country has so far been able to rank among the top 100 universities of the world in spite of the fact that there has been a phenomenal growth of higher education in the country.
The Chancellor further said, “If we aim at dominating the global discourse, we need universities that not only create skilled human recourses but also encourage indigenous research and development and instill scientific thinking and a spirit of inquiry among the students.”
“If quality improvement is the goal, it can be accomplished by making research an integral part of university’s academic agenda,” he said further.
As part of the tradition of conferring the most prestigious Gangadhar National Award to eminent poets of the country, famous Telugu poet K Siva Reddy was conferred with the award by the Governor. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a shawl and a citation. Reddy is 26th poet to receive the prestigious award since it was instituted in the year 1989.
Chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi while delivering the convocation address said, “We need great leaders who look humanity before nations and nations before narrow self interest.” He further said that humanity helps to open the mind. And an open mind leads to open an open heart that ultimately helps to change the course of things.