While Dr Mukherjee agreed that educational institutions in India are facing huge shortage of faculty, he said that this problem can be countered with the use of new technology like online classes.
“I agree there is a shortage of faculty but we can take advantage of technology like e-class room facility and transmit lectures by prominent faculty from one university to another,” he said, adding, “out of the box thinking and innovative measures are the need of the hour.”
Dr Mukherjee also applauded the role of LPU in redefining education and becoming the change agent in the society. “It’s indeed commendable that LPU has extensively used technology to manage 40,000 students. Education can change the minds of youth,” he said.
Dr Mukherjee said private University and Colleges have a key role in imparting employability skills to around 12 million youth who are getting added to country’s total workforce every year. “The increasing workforce would be a great asset if it’s a productive. But, it will be a great liability if we don’t instill the skills required for employment,” he said.
President Dr Mukherjee also emphasised on the increasing need for private institutions to lead various roles in Research and Development.
On the occasion, Dr Mukherjee honoured 20 students of the University with gold medals. Subsequently, as many as 123 Toppers got citations of commendations, and a total of 8501 from University’s 215 different Undergraduate, Postgraduate and M Phil programmes were awarded degrees.
On the occasion, the LPU conferred its first Honorary Doctorate degree on Afghan President Mr Hamid Karzai for his outstanding work in the area of social upliftment of Afghanistan. Dr Pranab Mukherjee conferred the honorary doctorate on Mr Hamid Karzai.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Karzai thanked LPU for bestowing upon him the honour and called upon the Indian establishment to contribute to the academic development of Afghanistan. Speaking about the ties shared between the two countries, he said, “India has shared healthy relations with Afghanistan and has contributed immensely to Afghan youth. India has given over 2000 scholarships to Afghan students to study in India.”
In his message to students, he said, “You are the citizens of India and citizens of the world and you represent a country that is fast rising in economical, industrial and social growth. Your presence is felt all around. Keep progressing and at the same time, remember your culture and use your energy for the country’s welfare”.
Lovely Professional University Chancellor Mr. Ashok Mittal spoke on the future plan of LPU. “Over the next decade, we will focus on research and entrepreneurship to revive the yesteryears glory of Takshshila back to India,” he said. He further added that many private universities in India have potential to make significant mark in research and compete with foreign Universities like Stanford and Harvard.
Punjab Governor Shri Shivraj V Patil presided over the convocation ceremony and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was the Guest of Honour.
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