HAZARIBAGH, Jan 9:President Pranab Mukherjee today said a sound higher education system was essential for the progress of a nation and development of its citizens.
Addressing the seventh convocation ceremony of Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) here, he said that higher education is to be viewed as a long term investment for the promotion of economic growth, cultural development and social cohesion.
“For this to happen, the role of institutions of higher education has to be clearly delineated. They have to evolve from its traditional function, merely dispensing knowledge and information,” he said.
He said in the new age, the institutions have to perform multiple tasks like creating new knowledge, infusing new capabilities like critical thinking in students and producing an intelligent human resource pool.
The demographic dividend of India can be gainfully harnessed, if the higher education system can meet these goals by channelising teaching and research in appropriate knowledge areas, he added.
Mr Mukherjee also complimented former Union Minister of Finance and External Affairs Yashwant Sinha, who was today also conferred the degree of D Litt by the University for his unique contribution to the Indian Economy,
International Relations and Public Service. Those present included Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu, Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Union Minister of State (Finance) Jayant Sinha, Jharkhand HRD Minister Neera Yadav and Vice Chancellor of VBU Gurdeep Singh. (UNI)
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