GNDU 48th Convocation -Iqbal Singh Chahal & Prof. Gagandeep Kang honoured with Honoris Causa degrees
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Governor of Punjab and Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University, Banwarilal Purohit said what India needs today is incorruptible young men and women who will dedicate themselves to the service of the larger society through individual pursuits. This will lead India as Vishwa Guru at International level. He pleaded all degee recipients and others to pledge against corruption and avoid illegal money. Young minds within the framework of Dharma will ponder over this and mould their personalities in accordance with what Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached whose name is after the establishment of this university. He was delivering Convocation address at the occasion of 48th Annual Convocation of the Guru Nanak Dev University in “The Golden Jubilee Convention Centre”. This newly constructed auditorium was also formally inaugurated by His Excellency Banwarilal Purohit .
On this occasion two eminent personalities, Iqbal Singh Chahal (IAS), Municipal Commissioner & Administrator of Brihanmumbai, Muncipal Corporation, Maharashtra and Prof. Gagandeep Kang (FRS), Department of Gastrointestinal Science at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu were honoured with honoris causa degrees. These two personalities were honored in recognition of their contribution in their respective fields. On this occasion 136 Ph.D, 2 M.Phil, 95 Post-Graduate and 71 Under-Graduate degrees and 177 medals were awarded to students from various faculties.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu welcomed the chief guest and other dignitaries. Prof. Karanjit Singh Kahlon, Registrar of the University coordinated the convocation. Vice-Chancellor also honored chief guest and other guests with a memento on behalf of the University. Prof. Hardeep Singh, Dean, Academic Affairs presented the vote of thanks. A large number of eminent personalities, members of Senate and Syndicate of the University, Deans of the Faculties, Faculty Members, graduating students were present. Prof. Anish Dua, Dean Student’s Welfare was also present. Rakhi Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Governer was also present.
Congratulating all graduating students on reaching a milestone of great significance in their lives and careers, Governor of Punjab said that Indeed they achieved this with complemented by the strong support of their parents and the dedication their gurus that has paved the way for this achievement.
He said that higher education system in India has undergone rapid expansion after Independence. Currently, India’s higher education system is the largest in the world enrolling over 70 million students while in less than two decades, India has managed to create additional capacity for over 40 million students. He said that India aspires to be a global leader, attain a high global position in academic excellence, and become an education destination for the world.
Governor said that if this dream is to be achieved, in the wake of the National Education Policy 2020, we must ensure that we impart quality education to our students and make them excellent citizens who would stand on their own in the global scene.
He said that education of a good quality must become accessible to all, be affordable and should lead to a positive transformation in an individual’s outlook, societal cohesion and inclusive national development. We must harness this power of education, and unleash the creative energies of young heads, hands and hearts. The new India we are dreaming of will be built on soaring aspirations and acquisition of new competencies. It will be built on the knowledge, skills and attitudes we impart in our classrooms and the innovation we foster in our workshops and laboratories. That is where the future of our nation lies and is being shaped every day, he added.
His Excellency said that education is both, a means and an end. As a source of power to transform human lives and society, education is a means. As a culminating process for acquiring knowledge, it is an end. He said that education delivers light from darkness and strengthens human capacity to decipher good from bad. It is the beacon of progress and prosperity.
He said that university is at the top of the formal education pyramid. It is, therefore, incumbent upon universities to guide the direction of progress of the society. Ancient India had a tradition of world-class learning, represented by renowned universities at Nalanda, Takshashila, Vikramashila, Valabhi, Odantapuri and Somapura. These seats of learning dominated the world education system for eighteen hundred years beginning sixth century BC. This system started declining from twelfth century AD. Indian higher education is yet to regain that frontline position.
He said that how do we transform our universities into great learning centres? At first, there is a need to link education with research and innovation in a seamless manner. Education disseminates Knowledge while Research creates New Knowledge. Innovation converts that Knowledge into Wealth and Social Good.
He said that promoting inter-disciplinary research and research at under graduate level, boosting collaborative research and joint research papers, and encouraging bright students to enter the research field are some of the steps required in this direction. Emphasis is being laid on research at the Guru Nanak Dev University. Recently a lot of dynamism has been seen in the startup business throughout the country. India has taken big strides in creating a start-up ecosystem with the launch of the ‘Start up India’ programme in 2016, he added.
His Excellency said that it is a matter of pride that Guru Nanak Dev University has arisen as a noteworthy centre to impart theoretical education, hands-on training and entrepreneurial expansion skills to the youth, women and relegated sections of society. He said that engaging with the best of business and professional education institutions both national and international, GNDU has forged alliances and partnerships with exclusive educational, industry and business organisations to gain insight into the needs of establishments.
While appreciating the achievements of the university he said that it is a matter of pride that Guru Nanak Dev University is that the Centre of Excellence established in GNDU, funded by the Government of India, is MYAS-GNDU Department of ports Sciences and Medicine. It has become the highest ranked centre in North Asia and is being replicated in India and abroad. He said that the achievements of the University in the fields of cultural activities and sports are also noteworthy. He congratulated university for winning the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (the highest Sports Award for a university in the country) for a record number of 24 times speaks volumes about the achievements of this university in the field of Sports. He also appreciated Guru Nanak Dev University as a clean and green campus.
He said that our Universities are the torchbearers of socio-economic development. The relevance of their teaching must extend beyond the classrooms, to the society and the nation. At the same time, they must, through their own example, usher in socio-economic change. The Government initiatives aimed at faster economic development, namely Swachh Bharat, Digital India and Make in India, have the potential to lift India to the state of an advanced nation, he added.
He said that our education model must not only develop the mind but also create positive mind sets. Expanding a student’s ability must go hand in hand with building his attitude. A creative mind set combined with a positive attitude can help unearth solutions to problems afflicting the society like malnutrition, affordable healthcare, efficient energy use etc. He said that the objective of education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge but the production of competent manpower.
While advising students he said that today they are completing a very important phase of life. Now they are entering a world which is very fast paced and is a very strict master. He said that till now they used to learn first then to give examination, but now they will be tested first then get knowledge about where the mistake happened.
He said that at the same time this world is full of potential for quick and consistent learners. With their degrees, they have a dual responsibility and they have to live up to their own as well as their parents expectations and also fulfil their duties towards the society and the country with full dedication, honesty and diligence.
Iqbal Singh Chahal and Prof. Gagandeep Kang also shared their experiences of life with the students. They inspired the students to respect their parents and teachers and contribute for development of the nation while keeping in mind the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev University with hard work and great dedication. They said that nothing is impossible to achieve if our goals in life are set.
Prof. Sandhu appraised chief guest and others about the activities and achievement of the University in the field of academics, research, culture and sports. Prof. Jaspal Singh Sandhu also honored Iqbal Singh Chahal and Prof. Gagandeep Kang with Coffee Table Book & Phulkari on the behalf of the University.
November 25,2022
