Students are the greatest asset and the backbone of a nation and there is a greater need for students to train themselves and build the future of the country" said Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel. The Minister was speaking at the Annual Day function of Aryabhatta College on Tuesday.
Goel stressed the need to improve the quality of education. "We have over 500 universities in India but not even a single university is listed among the top 50 universities of the world. I request all the students to be a part of the social building process. Students need to learn besides knowledge gained through books," he added. Goel also laid the foundation stone of the academic and administrative building of the college.
Dr Chandan Mitra, the Editor in-Chief of The Pioneer and Chairman, Governing Body, Aryabhatta College, while welcoming the Minister, lauded his efforts to preserve the heritage of Chandni Chowk and asked the students to visit historical monuments and South Delhi and write about life in the past and the present.
Dr Mitra exhorted the students to study hard to get international recognition for the college. "There is no need to visit foreign countries for higher studies and we all should try to bring students back to our country", he added.
Manoj Sinha, the Principal of Aryabhatta College while presenting the annual report, said that the college infrastructure was being improved. "We have been continuously engaged in developing facilities to provide students world class exposure and also help them explore,” he said.
The faculty research room, the canteen, new teaching block, girls hostel and psychology laboratory have been upgraded and are being used. "Further we are all set to start four 'Honours Courses later this year', he said.
"Reflection", the college magazine was also launched and distributed amongst the diginitaries, staff members and students. The celebrations were bedecked with a riveting dance performance by the college students. The participants regaled the audience by presenting traditional dances from various regions of the country.
College toppers from all the departments were feted for achieving excellence and a college magazine containing research material on Aryabhatta the great mathematician was also launched during the celebrations.