Assam Governor attends 20th convocation of Dibrugarh University
Universities should set protocol for wise use of natural resources: Prof. Mukhi
Dibrugarh University should act as a nodal agency to facilitate industry, academic interactions
Guwahati, Rongili Barta- Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi observed that the institutes of higher education should be the centre of knowledge and development and the students should be the nodal agents of development and creators of wealth. Speaking at the 20th convocation of Dibrugarh University at Dibrugarh today, Assam Governor and Chancellor of the University Prof. Mukhi said that the Indian universities as centre of development must initiate dialogue between industry, trade and commerce to create a standard protocol to make judicious use of the country’s abundant natural resources. He, in this context, referred to the National Education Policy’s objective for collaborative engagements between industry and academia to bolster scientific and technological innovations. He said that in the changing academic environment in the wake of rolling out of NEP 2020, Dibrugarh university must take a stand to become a nodal agency in the state to facilitate industry and academic interactions to expedite the growth trajectory of Assam. The Governor also said that the institutes of higher education should also be responsible for maintaining and promoting environmental security. They should also take the role in inculcating respect for the environment among the students as this respect would be tantamount to sustainable development. Prof. Mukhi also said that the Indian universities should also take the lead towards social inclusion, especially of the underprivileged classes into higher education. Inclusion of the hitherto marginalized sections into higher education has remained a challenge for the Indian society and needs to be overcome in order to harness the full potential of these sections, the Governor added. He also said that the inclusion of girls in higher education needs to be stressed. He, in this context, hailed Dibrugarh University which has more than 60 per cent girl students. The Governor during his speech also observed that a major challenge for higher education institutes of India is devising ways to increase the skilled workforce in the country which at present is tremendously behind many other countries. India is faced with a challenge of great proportions as only about tenth of the total workforce of the country has undergone skill training. Therefore, increasing the skilled manpower of the country has become a strategic priority for the country and for higher education institutes in India. It is, therefore, imperative that institutes of higher education find ways and means to integrate conventional education for knowledge creation and dissemination of skill-based education, which is indispensable for the much-needed human resources for the emerging sectors. Prof. Mukhi also urged upon the students to be resolved to start their lives with renewed vigour and purpose. He said that the students need to find ways in which they can make themselves self-reliant. He also said that as India is celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating the 75 years of its independence, it is time that everybody especially the students take the pledge to work for the nation’s advancement. He, in this context, said that National Education Policy 2020 is a step in the right direction which has given much-needed reformation designed to address the needs of 21st century. Chief Guest of the Convocation Director of CSIR-NEIST Dr.G.Narahari Sastry called upon the graduating students to contribute towards nation building with strong moral character. It may be mentioned that out of 29,526 students, 188 got certificates PhD, 172 got MPhil, 3779 got post graduation and 25387 students got graduation.