New Delhi, 11 Nov 2019: The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu graced and addressed the 3rd Annual Convocation of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi today. Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ was the Guest of Honour. Chancellor of JNU and Current Member of the NITI Aayog, Dr V. K. Saraswat, Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Professor M. Jagadesh Kumar and senior officials of the ministry were also present on this occasion. 430 students were conferred with the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
The Vice President has called for revamping the entire education system from pedagogy to research to make India a leading centre of knowledge and innovation. Delivering the 3rd Annual Convocation of the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Shri Naidu pointed out that India was once known as Vishwaguru and said that the time has come for India to once again emerge as a global hub of learning.
Shri M Venkaiah Naidu said “I am happy to note that JNU had recently received the highest ranking, Grade A++ from NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). Also, JNU was ranked No. 2 among all the Universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework, Government of India, in 2017 and 2018. Besides, JNU was also a recipient of the Best University Award from the President of India.
With a good academic reputation for various schools and a strong research eco-system, I am glad to learn that JNU is working on new therapeutic modalities for treatment of human diseases.
I am also pleased to note that women constitute 51% of the students because of special admission policy for them, students hailing from distant places and those belonging to marginalized sections.
It is important that young women particularly those belonging to marginalized sections gain increased access to the portals of colleges and universities.”
Urging the universities and institutions of higher learning to completely reorient their methods of teaching, he wanted JNU and other universities in India to figure among the top-ranking global institutions. The Vice President observed that the Indian civilization always laid emphasis on a holistic integrated vision of education. Exhorting universities like JNU to build on our strengths and raise the bar, he said all-round excellence and the ability to lead the global agendas must be our aim.
Urging the institutions of higher learning to learn from the best institutions in the world and adapt the best practices, he said: “We have, as a civilization, been one of the most receptive societies that has welcomed good ideas from across the world”.
Pointing out that India was on a unique growth trajectory, he said the students have “limitless opportunities” to contribute towards this endeavor.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” applauded the outstanding performance of the students and efforts of all involved in taking this institution to high levels of eminence. He added that universities like JNU were conceived and promoted to meet the educational aspirations of India’s youth. And we have the opportunity to be proud that the University is not only successful in its objective but also playing a leading role in paving the intellectual path of India.
The Minister hoped that the effort JNU will be dynamic towards the development and operation of useful and efficient courses. And taking full advantage of the new policies of the present government, we will use modern technology, so that more and more youth will get the benefit of higher education. He congratulated all the teachers, students and officials for the convocation ceremony.
