N. N. Vohra, Governor, has emphasized the crucial importance of raising the Gross Enrollment Ratio and ensuring equity and access to all the students seeking admissions to higher education so that the benefits of the continuing growth in the number of universities, colleges and other institutions of higher learning in the country reach one and all. The Governor, as Chief Guest, was addressing the 44th Foundation Day function of the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar yesterday.Usha Vohra, First Lady, was present on the occasion.The Governor observed that in the post-Independence era the number of educational institutions, faculties and the students had increased very significantly, adding that the focus should now be on bringing about excellence in teaching and research to turn-out high class students from our varsities and colleges so that they can contribute in a big way to the rapid economic development of the country.
Referring to the need for introducing courses in sync with the present and emerging job market requirements, the Governor observed that skill upgradation of students should be an important part of the curriculum so that they are equipped with the required skills to make them industry-ready and able to get placements after completing their education.The Governor said that the standard of teaching and research in the universities requires to be continuously improved alongside nurturing ethical and moral values among the students for their balanced personality development, enabling them to successfully shoulder responsibilities of nation building. He added that the universities should also focus on developing creativity among students and imbibe in them the freedom of thought, argument, debate and discussion so that they are able to address various challenges facing the country. He observed that India has a great heritage embedded in centuries of civilizational history where hundreds of languages and thousands of dialects are spoken and people of all faiths have lived in harmony. He added that this pluralistic ethos of the country needs to be further strengthened.
Referring to the need for promoting exchanges of faculties and students to promote closer cooperation among the various universities in the region, the Governor said that this can go a long way in optimum utilization of facilities and resources available with them for the larger benefit of the students. In this context, he referred to the initiatives taken to establish a Forum of all Universities in J&K. MoUs could be entered into with the Universities in J&K to obtain pidends.The Governor referred to the advancements made by the Guru Nanak Dev University in teaching, research and extra-curricular activities in the past over four decades and said that it is most encouraging that 60% students of this varsity are girls. He congratulated Prof. A. S. Brar, Vice Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University, faculty, staff and students on the joyous occasion of the 44th Foundation Day of the varsity. He wished the University high success in the years to come and hoped that it would emerge as one of the best institutions in the country in the coming time. The Governor gave away prizes to the students who were adjudged best in the Inter-College Painting and Folklore competitions organized by the University. He interacted with the prize winning students and wished them bright careers ahead.
On this occasion, Prof. A. S. Brar, Vice Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University, presented to the Governor a Memento and a set of publications brought out by the University.Prof. Rattan Singh Jaggi, Professor Emeritus, Punjabi University, Patiala, speaking on the occasion, threw light on the teachings of Guru Nanak Devji.Prof. Deepak Pental, former Vice Chancellor, Delhi University, stressed for bringing excellence in teaching and research and optimally benefitting from the advancements made in the realm of science and technology for securing rapid growth and generating employment avenues.Earlier, in his welcome address, Prof. A. S. Brar, Vice Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, dwelt on the establishment, evolution, history and growth of the University and the continuing endeavours being made to develop this institution as a centre of excellence. He also threw light on the future road map for all round growth of the varsity. He thanked the Governor for being the Chief Guest at the Foundation Day function of the University.Prof. M. S. Hundal, Dean Academic Affairs, Guru Nanak Dev University, presented a Vote of Thanks.Among those present on the occasion were Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University; Prof. S. S. Gill, Vice Chancellor, Baba Farid University, Faridkot; Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; a large number of invited guests, faculty members, senior officers and students of the University.Later, the Governor and the First Lady visited the Exhibition organized at the university campus. They evinced keen interest in the historical manuscripts, old coins, arts, crafts and other exhibits put on display at the Exhibition. They also visited the Astro-Turf Hockey Stadium, Indoor Multipurpose Gymnasium and Swimming Pool at the University Campus and were briefed by the Vice Chancellor about the sports infrastructure available at the varsity.