Mangalore: Dr Ramasami commends Varsity on excellence in science, research
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Feb 23: “Out of the 600 universities in the country, the education board has recognized 44 excellent universities in science and research and Mangalore University is one among those,” said Dr T Ramasami, secretary, department of science and technology, New Delhi.
He was addressing the gathering during the 31st Annual Convocation Day held at Mangala Auditorium of the University on Saturday February 23.
H R Bhardwaj, governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of the University, presided over the function.
On the occasion, the Governor conferred honorary doctorate degrees (Honoris Causa) on three eminent persons - A B Subbaiah, senior hockey player, Dr Chandrashekar Kambar, Jnanpith award winner, poet-playwright-folklorist, and Dr Kadri Gopalnath, prominent saxophonist.
The University also granted 84 doctor of philosophy degrees, 7 master of philosophy degrees, 36 gold medals, 55 cash prizes, and ranks to 60 students. The honors were done by Governor Bharadwaj.
Dr T Ramasami, in his convocational address briefing on the theme ‘Education–For India of the Future’ in connection to the present generation said education of the Indian youth in the age group 15-20 is the most critical need for shaping the future of India. He added that the present generation youth born after 1991 is the next best generation of India.
Dr Ramasami said, “A well-educated mind should be able to create a balance with the external world and on the other hand it should also influence society to move towards a more peaceful and prosperous environment at the same time. Education should lead to strengthening of one’s character and not just one’s competence.”
“The total number of Indians enrolled into tertiary education is estimated to be 240 million which has exceeded the size of tertiary education in United States. The Gross Enrolment Ratio in India in higher education is estimated at about 19 percent which has doubled during the last ten years,” he said adding that the enrollment ratio in higher education will reach global levels within the next seven months.
“Education is a life-long process which is never-ending. The roles of a teacher and the nature of the learning environment in initial stages are crucial,” he said. Giving importance to bottom-up movements in education, he said government in education systems should play a sensitive role by empowering local entities rather than to command centrally.
“The Indian science sector is moving in a positive direction in recent times,” he said. Commenting on it further, he said that it has mounted some major schemes for attraction of talent to studyscience and careers with research, gender parity in science, rejuvenation of research in universities and others. “The department of science and technology has launched around 60 new schemes since 2004,” added Dr Ramasami.
In his concluding remarks, he termed the present generation of Indian youth as special. He said that education should build the strength of India of the future.
Usha Prabha Nayak, a gold medalist in MBA (marketing) from SDM College, speaking to Daijiworld, said she is extremely happy and termed it as a special degree for her. The 40-year-old said that she obtained her degree 20 years after she quit her studies.
“This is like a second life to me, I have gone through lot of hard work and I have been studying with my colleagues who are of my son’s age,” she said. In addition to that she has received the gold medal in MBA even after being from a science background.
Another cash prize winner Vanishree who received the 1st rank in MA Economics said that she did not expect this honor. “I have put in lot of hard work and late night study for this achievement ,” she said, adding that the lectures were supportive and the infrastructure in the University College was excellent.
Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy, vice-chancellor and Prof P S Yedapadithaya, registrar, were among those present.