Uttarakhand Governor KK Paul reiterated the need for advanced and sophisticated research in various fields in order to achieve excellence in higher education in the State while addressing at the 12th convocation of Kumaun University on Sunday.
Dr Paul said “we must realize that we need to take necessary steps towards the promotion of excellence in education-learning processes and outcomes in the form of research and creation of intellectual capital. This calls for improvement in the higher education system. Only then can the higher education system become responsive to the needs and challenges of the knowledge economy.” “In order to compete successfully in the sphere of higher education at the national and global levels, Uttarakhand needs universities and institutions that not only produce bright graduates but also support sophisticated research in a number of scientific and scholarly fields,” he added.
He said quality education needed to be made more accessible. "To fight against social backwardness in its many forms, universities are expected to play a specially important role. They must encourage their students to think anew and to be instruments of change," the governor said while addressing the convocation.
The Governor highlighted the crucial role of education in a democracy. He said teachers had a tremendous responsibility as they trained and moulded the minds of the young to make them worthy citizens of our secular country . "In this era of technology, the role of teachers in higher education requires reorientation. Teachers must be facilitators in the students' quest for Knowledge." He added that teachers must create an atmosphere where students can imbibe Indian values and culture to keep our heritage alive.Their role in building the character of the students was crucial, he said..
He also emphasized the need for universities to introduce skill oriented courses to increase employability of youth. In this context, he spoke about the prime minister's Skill India initiative which aims at providing training and skill development to 500 million youth by 2020.
He called upon the passing out students to resolve, to grow-intellectually, morally, spiritually and professionally. He congratulated the Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Dhami, the entire teaching fraternity, the support staff of the University and the families of the students on the occasion.
Congratulating the students, Governor expressed hope that you will use your talent, competence and energy for bringing peace, harmony and an equitable development for the society and the nation. Students who would go on to become entrepreneurs would become part of the "Make in India" program which is aimed at giving a boost to manufacturing in the country.