Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jun 17: Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri on Wednesday June 17 conferred the honoris causae (honorary doctorates) on three eminent personalities - Prof Goverdhan Mehta, Shashi Kiran Shetty and Prof B V Chowdari during the 33rd annual convocation held at Mangala Auditorium of Mangalore University.

University chancellor and Karnataka governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala conferred the honorary doctorates.

Mangalore University also awarded 88 PhD degrees (arts-11, science-63, commerce-9 and physical education-5), and 37 gold medals and 63 cash prizes. In all, there were 57 ranks (PG-40 and UG-17: Arts-14, science and technology-30, commerce-9, education-3 and PG diploma-1). During 2013-14, a total of 34,627 candidates appeared for the examination, out of which 23,385 or 67.53% passed.

Interestingly, among the PhD awardees was Narasimha Gunjalli, a BMTC bus conductor from Bengaluru, who did a thesis titled 'Karnatakadalli Kannada Krishi Pathrikodyama: Ondu Adhayana'.

In PG courses, out of 4,829 candidates who appeared, 4,579 or 94.82% passed. Out of 29,708 undergraduate students who appeared for the examinations, 18,716 (63%) passed. There were two PG diploma candidates, both of whom passed.

Out of the 23,385 who passed, 8155 (34.87%) were boys and 15,230 (65.13%) girls.

Prof Goverdhan Mehta, former director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangaluru, and national research professor, School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad was present as the chief guest and delivered the convocation address.

Prof Mehta said, "Rabindranath Tagore had said 'the highest education is that which doesn't merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence'. Thus, a broader exposure and a deeper understanding of the local milieu, country and the world is essential for the youth to prepare for a purposeful life and a better future.

"A recent study has indicated that success in life is determined only 20% by domain knowledge and the rest comes from attitudes, aspirations and soft skills. I believe that the university has provided opportunities for the students to synthesize better balance between disciplinary learning and soft skills, particularly those essential for professional advancement which are the 3 Cs - Ability to Collaborate, Compete and Connect. Learn to become a smart player in mind games, acquire flair for objective analysis and synchronize these with the callings of your profession," he advised.

While appreciating Mangalore University for its contribution to the field of education and research, he urged chancellor and governor Vala to protect and promote quality in higher education institutions in the state. "Although providing and ensuring quality education is the primary responsibility of the university, the breakneck speed of the expansion phase during the past decade has severely compromised their ability to maintain and enhance quality.

"Endemic shortage of faculty and learning resources, mindless proliferationof courses, dwindling infrastructure, indifferent leadership and so on have had a crippling effect on quality education. If not remedied, this may have serious socio-economic consequences and compromise the lives and aspirations of the young generation. Quality in higher education can be ensure with effective policy interventions and active involvement and commitment of university stakeholders," he added.

Urging students to focus their talents and energies on nation building, he said, "Everyone should have an appreciation for the diversity, colours and flavours of India. Let us be reminded that we are a 'rainbow nation', a melting pot of contrasts and colours where past, present and future coalesce and coexist in a complex social milieu and we justifiably celebrate unity in diversity.

"There are some contradications that we harbour and embrace - we see them, ostensibly assimilate them, but do little to mitigate them. India ranks high on the list of billionaires in the world, but ranks 136 in the UNDP human development index. While we have the largest English speaking population in the world, we are also home to a majority of world's illiterates. Our country is considered food sufficient and yet we top in the world hunger index. We have over 970 million cellphone users but only a fraction of them have access to basic amenities like drinking water and sanitation. One is entitled to ask why it is so. This paradox needs to be resolved by the young generation if we are to emerge as an inclusive, sustainable and innovation-led nation," he said.

"Emergent India is a canvas of many opportunities. Today, India is perceived to be re-emerging and projections are that our GDP growth will overtake all the major economies in the next fiscal. We are entering an era where only better than the best will make the grade. Dare to aim for the impossible. Never stop dreaming and dream big. Be creators, entrepreneurs and innovators. Each one of you must aspire to become creators entrepreneurs and innovators to provide solutions to the problems that are micro or mega, simple or complex, local or global," he urged.

"In the present context initiatives for Swach Bharath make in India, mission to clean Ganga and other water bodies and affordable health carer for all,offer opportunities for innovations that range from 'frugal to grandiose' which are adaptable and scalable at local to global level. It is said 'innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower'. Be leaders and not followers, be employers and not employees, be wealth creators and not mere consumers," Prof Mehta said.

'Research and teaching inseparable'

Stressing that research should be the primary focus in educational institutions, he said, "Research must occupy the centre stage in universities. Research and teaching are considered conjoined twins that must defy separation. We must value, recognize and put a premium on research. It is not a luxury but a necessity. Evert teacher in a university must cultivate a research idea, make a bid for yearning to supervice doctoral research. To facilitate this, management of every institution must create an enabling environment in terms of requisite infrastructure and information resources."

University vice-chancellor Prof K Byrappa welcomed.

Registrar Prof PS Yadapadithaya and registrar Prof B Narayana, syndicate and academic council members were present.