Speech by Hon'ble President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at the 22nd Annual Convocation of Goa University and Conferment of the Honorary Degree of D. Litt. At Panjim in Goa

Ladies and Gentlemen,

and Dear Students,

I am happy to be here at the beautiful campus of Goa University at its Annual Convocation in the year of its Silver Jubilee. There are, perhaps, few universities which have an ambience as spectacular as yours. The campus overlooking the Arabian Sea, which has been the route of many voyageurs and travellers through the ages, should inspire the students here to navigate the seas and oceans of knowledge.

This University was established in 1985, in response to the demand of students from Goa for higher education. The setting up of a local university reduczed the need for students to move to neighbouring States for further studies. Since its inception, Goa University has made notable progress in the academic and research fields besides becoming an instrument of socio-economic development and empowerment of Goa.

Universities are centres of learning and have always been places where the skills and knowledge of students are chiseled to suit the requirements of the work place. Often it is said, that in India the problem is more of employability, than of unemployment, which means that the skills that people have are not appropriate for securing employment. Therefore, it is imperative that our Universities assess the requirements of the job-market well in advance and structure courses in a manner that will help their students enter the employment market, prepared for jobs available. Higher education should also encourage our youth to set up their own enterprises. In this context, the interactions of the students of the University with local industry and several socio-economic organizations would be useful in understanding the dynamics of business.

Universities help a nation in giving it economic vitality, scientific prowess, a broad outline of social change and global competitiveness, through innovation and research. The activities of good universities must strive to contribute to the richness of the cultural, literary and social aspects of their immediate community. It is in this context, that I often emphasize, that all Universities must have outreach programmes that enable students to interact with local communities and understand their issues. Those who are educated must work for the upliftment of the disadvantaged sections of society. They can undertake social welfare work, become messengers of change and in this way, become individuals who have a sense of responsibility to society. Therefore, I am happy that Goa University has a platform through which educational programmes can be telecast for community development and mass awareness programmes. Drug addiction is becoming an increasing threat for our youth. It is said that first you consume the drug and then drug consumes you. I hope awareness about its ill effects would also be taken up by the platform.

Learning is not alien to India. From time immemorial, we have been a centre of learning. Thousands of years ago, great scholars used to teach a variety of subjects such as philosophy, religion, medicine, mathematics, literature, drama and arts. Great works on these subjects were written. Universities have existed here in continuum through the millennia. Universities of our country have to preserve and perpetuate this glorious memory, as well as to further enhance the reach and quality of education with a view to meeting global challenges.

The process of globalization alongwith rapid advances in Science and Technology, particularly Information Technology, has been defining the achievements and pressures and pulls of the last more than two decades. Globalization has created an inter-related and an inter-linked world, generating opportunities and also throwing up challenges. As a society transforms, the education system must respond to change. It is only then, that it will be relevant. Our institutions of higher learning must become geared up for facing challenges of the contemporary world. Being aware of it, India is taking steps to increase access to higher education by opening more institutions and spending more money on higher education. However, we have to be careful that by concentrating on quantity we do not compromise on quality. Quality faculty is important to maintain high standards of our Universities, so that world class graduates, post-graduates and Doctoral students are produced. This is the challenge of the future, which all our Universities have to overcome jointly with the Government.

A nation that is growing, requires a talented and well trained population to harness opportunities into visible and concrete results. With 54 crore youth, India has one of the largest young populations of the world. We have a responsibility to ensure that they receive proper education. In Universities, there is a tendency to rush in for subjects like Commerce and Management. These are important, but it is equally important to study basic science subjects at the university level and focus on research and innovation.

It is the energy and intelligence of its students and excellence of its lecturers and professors that determines the character of an institution of higher learning. The faculty members of are its lifeblood. They must like a friend, always be ready to give advice and guidance to their students on how best they can be ready to face the world. It is very important to focus on character building and to inculcate amongst the youth, the values of compassion, harmonious living and respect for elders. Our Universities, therefore, should be the place where students learn and practice discipline, tolerance and balanced reasoning. Too much of consumerism and irresponsible behaviour should always be avoided. I am happy to know that ragging has been stopped in educational institutions in Goa. I would urge that ragging in all our universities and educational institutions must also stop. It is a crime against humanity; and a shameful behaviour. Education must develop cultured attitude and social awareness, otherwise it is unrelated to life and its environment.

Students should not look at graduation as the end of a journey, rather graduation marks the beginning of another journey - the journey of life where knowledge and skills acquired will be put to test. There would be times when you would find success rather easily and there would be other times, when you would be faced with difficult situations. The trying moments can also be moments to look at possible opportunities. Hard work, discipline, commitment and determination will be the wheels on which one can travel through tough terrains and reach the destination. One should try to become not only great, but good citizens as well.

I would also like to convey my best wishes to all the students of the University and especially to those who have graduated today. I hope you can make good use of your education to further your careers and it will be an asset to the nation. My best wishes also go the Faculty and Staff for all the work they have been putting in and I hope that Goa University will continue to progress in the years ahead. Finally, I would like to thank Goa University for conferring the Honorary Degree of D. Litt. on me today.

Thank you.   
Jai Hind.