University Must Produce Men and Women of Character and Integrity: President

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has said equipped and conferred people are important to construct the nation we want. Our universities must produce men and women of character and integrity. Mahatma Gandhi said: “Real education consists in drawing the best out of you. What better book can there be than the book of humanity?” To remove doubts of society today, Bapu`s call to follow the book of humanity is needed.

The President addressing the Sixty Fourth Convocation of Punjab University said human capital determines a country’s ascent to a large extent. As such, education is pivotal in shaping the destiny of nations. The University is the peak of the education system. Indian universities have the potential to be leading institutions of the world. Higher educational institutions would do well to recognize emerging global trends that are creating new models of knowledge dispensation. Massive Open Online Courses, aided by technology, have grown due to rising costs of higher education and changing profile of education seekers. Maximum advantage should be augmented by Universities by acknowledging these evolutions.

The President said numerous creative thoughts are instinctive of the common man. They should be trained to validate ideas and design viable products calls for the development of an innovation value-chain. Higher learning institutions through their multiple linkages can boost this eco-system.

The President said a scientific temper, is must in our students, which takes one’s imagination beyond the realm of grades and classroom. Our institutions must inculcate the ability of imagination; and the teacher must encourage the taught to think beyond books, question concepts and accept a proposition only after investigation. Students must have a grand vision which they can, through research and inquiry, translate into reality.