PANJIM: Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu on Friday emphasised on the urgent need to revamp higher education in tune with the contemporary requirements and said that it cannot continue to have lakhs of engineering students graduating without basic employable skills.
Naidu was addressing the gathering at the 4th Convocation of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa in presence of State Governor Mridula Sinha.
“You are on the threshold of a new life. As you step out into the bigger world, take an oath to work for the good of the society and the country. Education is not only for employment. It is meant to empower, enlighten, widen the perspective of the students and develop them into global citizens.” said the Vice President.
He said, “Here, I would like to emphasize upon the urgent need to revamp our higher education in tune with contemporary requirements. We simply cannot continue to have lakhs of engineering students graduating without basic employable skills every year. This undesirable trend has to be stopped.”
The Vice President further said the Universities need to overhaul the syllabi and the teaching methodologies to make the courses relevant to the needs of the industries.
“I also feel that engineering students should be made to work as interns for some weeks every year to enable them gain firsthand experience.” he added.
Naidu said that although the country’s achievements have been quite impressive during the past seven decades in various fields including agriculture, industry, health, atomic energy, defence research and information technology, among others, there were miles to go.
“We need to improve the quality of life of the millions of Indians, and the role of scientists and engineers is very important in overcoming various challenges.” he added
Speaking on Climate change and global warming, the vice-president aid that they are two of the biggest challenges the world is facing today and all nations have to step up their efforts to protect the environment and reduce carbon footprint.
“I have always maintained that man should not tamper with nature but co-exist in harmony with nature for a greener, life-enhancing future,” Naidu said addressing the students. Please remember that from times immemorial, Indians believed in worshipping nature and its bounty. Therefore, always uphold our culture and protect nature for a better future.” Naidu said. The Vice President conceded that even 71 years after attaining Independence, we are saddled with numerous challenges that have to be combated in a concerted manner by all conscientious citizens.
“Poverty, illiteracy, diseases, farmers’ distress and social evils like atrocities on women and weaker sections, child labour, terrorism, communalism and corruption have to be eradicated to build a New and Resurgent India, and I expect the youth of the country to be in the forefront of this noble mission.” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice-President further said that as engineers, it is important for you to take a closer look at the collective needs of the populace and come up with innovative, cost-effective solutions, especially in areas such as healthcare and education.
“I would also like the engineering professionals to assume greater responsibility in creating safe, secure, healthy, productive and sustainable life for the countrymen.” Naidu added.
