Students should acquire skills, spirit of service to build Viksit Bharat: Telangana Governor
Hyderabad, Oct 7 (TNT): Telangana Governor and Chancellor of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University Shiv Pratap Shukla on Wednesday called upon students to acquire skills and cultivate a spirit of service along with their academic qualifications to contribute to the development of the nation.
Addressing the 27th Convocation of Dr B.R. Ambedkar Open University at the Bhavanam Venkatram Auditorium here, the Governor said obtaining a degree should not be considered the end of education but the beginning of a new phase of responsible life.
Shukla said youth equipped with knowledge, skills, discipline and a spirit of service would be the strength of Viksit Bharat@2047 and urged students to use their achievements for the development of society, the State and the country.
He appreciated BRAOU for providing higher education opportunities to more than 25 lakh learners during its 45-year journey and said open universities were playing a vital role in extending higher education to rural and remote areas and disadvantaged sections.
The Governor said a degree alone was not sufficient in the rapidly changing technological world and advised students to continuously pursue skilling, reskilling and upskilling.
Educational institutions, he said, should aim to produce innovators, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than merely job seekers.
Referring to Hyderabad’s emergence as a major hub for IT, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and start-ups, Shukla said the ideas, leadership and positive outlook of youth would play an important role in shaping the country’s future.
He also called for concerted efforts to keep youth away from drug abuse and cautioned that bad company and momentary attractions could adversely affect their lives.
He urged people to begin efforts to eliminate drug abuse from their own homes.
At the convocation, degrees, postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates were conferred on 36,145 students across various courses.
Gold medals were awarded to 38 students, while 23 research scholars received Ph.D. degrees and one scholar was awarded an M.Phil. degree.
As part of the university’s efforts to make education accessible to all, 27 prisoners, including 26 men and one woman, who completed their education from Cherlapally, Rajamahendravaram and Kadapa Central Jails, also received their degrees.
Renowned director, writer and actor B. Narsing Rao was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the university for his contribution to the film industry and society.
The Governor congratulated the graduating students, gold medallists and research scholars and wished BRAOU continued progress in education, research and innovation.
BRAOU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ghanta Chakrapani, former NAAC Director and former BRAOU Vice-Chancellor Professor V.S. Prasad, Honorary Doctorate recipient B. Narsing Rao, government officials, representatives of higher educational institutions, Vice-Chancellors of various universities in Telangana and university officials attended the programme.
TNT TS
