Universities should take part in nation-building initiatives: Paul

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, January 22

Governor KK Paul today called upon the universities in the state to actively participate in all programmes and missions that have been launched for nation building. He was speaking in his address at the first convocation of IMS Unison University here today.

The Govenor said if IMS university was not yet linked to the national knowledge network, it should do so without delay.The universities must focus on job creation and skill development.

The annual convocation began with a colourful convocation procession where the Governor, guest of honour Dr Gurdip Singh, Vice-Chancellor of RMNLU, Lucknow, Chairman, Board of Governors Amit Agarwal, Chancellor Dr MP Jain, Vice-Chancellor Dr RK Pandey, members of the board of governors, deans, and members of the academic council walked through the aisle towards the convocation venue

The Governor said as the country was moving towards becoming a knowledge society, the universities need to constantly raise their quality benchmarks, generate knowledge capital through research projects and inculcate in their students not just skills but also the right mindset to ensure larger success.

“We must also realise that so much of information is available on the internet that teachers have to seriously think in terms of a change in the classroom contents,” he said.

The methods of teaching need to change. Massive open online courses (MOOC) needsto be put to use in areas where adequate content is not available, he added.

“India needs to equip its youth and workforce with employable skills and knowledge so that they can contribute substantively to the economic growth of the country. Universities could look at the possibility of imparting specific skills to the people of Uttarakhand for equipping them with tools necessary for gainful employment,” said the Governor.

He called upon the students to not just look for jobs but also become entrepre-neurs and creators of products, services and employment opportunities for the people of the country.

He said they should try to give back to society a part of what all they have gained from it.

“Each generation should make the world a better place to live. Each generation should give more than it receives”.

He asked the students not to forget that knowledge originates and resides in the minds of people.

“People with knowledge and skills are therefore the most potent resource of a nation. Human resource is also a truly renewable resource. The young and educated knowledge workers of today, that is you, are the true asset of the nation. Irrespective of what you do, adopt a positive approach and never stop learning.” In this context , universities are encouraged to adopt villages as part of their social work programmes.

The Governor honoured meritorious students with gold medals.

He congratulated the university, faculty members, staff, students and their parents on the occasion.