President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday said that one of the important objectives of the National Education Policy, proposed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, is to establish India as a knowledge super power.
“The whole world is aware of the immense talent of the students of India. All educational institutions in the country have to contribute to make proper use of this talent. Special contributions are expected from prestigious institutions like Jamia,” Mr. Kovind said. He was delivering the convocation address at Jamia Millia Islamia’s 99th Foundation Day celebrations.
Mr. Kovind stressed the need to connect every section of the society with development and said that the university’s social responsibility needs to be emphasised. He noted that Jamia has adopted five villages under the ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’ and asked the university to adopt some more villages.
“Students should go to those villages and try to understand their issues. They should make villagers aware of the schemes like cleanliness, literacy, vaccination of all children and nutrition. Students should also provide villagers information about Central and State government schemes. Such efforts would help the weaker sections of the society and increase students’ awareness and sensitivity towards rural areas,” the President said.
More than 10,000 students, including 350 gold medallists, who graduated in the year 2017 and 2018 were awarded degrees/diplomas. Out of 350 gold medallists, 183 are girls.
Meanwhile, Jamia Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar asked Mr. Kovind for help in setting up a medical college-cum-hospital in the university.
Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in his address said: “The new education policy will lay the formation stone of new India and will provide technical, scientific and job-oriented education to girls, minorities and under-privileged sections of the society.”
He also assured his Ministry’s help in setting up a medical college-cum-hospital.
The convocation ceremony was held as a part of the three-day celebrations of the university’s 99th Foundation Day.