Imphal: Manipur Governor La Ganesan has said that youth of the country are the engine of growth and, therefore, they are to be equipped with knowledge, skill, wisdom and dedication.
Governor Ganesan was speaking at the 35th convocation ceremony of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Regional Centre in Imphal at Asha Jina Complex, North AOC on Tuesday.
Governor Ganesan said the youth should be encouraged to come up with innovative ideas to find solutions to every problem. He said we are one of the youngest nations in the world with around 65 per cent of our population under the age of 35. Our vision should be to make India “Numero Uno” in the world, he added.
While acknowledging the fact that IGNOU is a university for catering to the educational needs of prospective learners through open and distance mode, Ganesan said that it is commendable and praiseworthy that IGNOU is providing affordable education to the underprivileged students, reaching the doorsteps of the learners with its excellent student support system.
IGNOU also offers free education to jail inmates.
The Governor further stated that with the opening of three study centres at Moreh, Kakching and Thoubal recently, students have been provided facilities for learning. The study centre, particularly at Moreh in Tengnoupal district, serves the educational need of international students since the town is located on the international border with Myanmar. Thus, IGNOU Regional Centre in Imphal is serving the state as well as internationally, he added.
Congratulating all the students, the Governor said convocation is a special occasion that means so much in the lives of students. It is that wonderful day when the years of academic life culminate into a coveted degree. Let this not be an ending to academic life but mark a new beginning for all the future subjects, he said.
The Governor distributed degree, diploma certificates to the students at the ceremony.
Regional Director, IGNOU RC Imphal, Dr SJ Neethirajan also spoke on the importance of IGNOU in imparting education to all sections in the society. He said that village level awareness programmes, especially in the remote and interior areas, will be conducted to enroll students in different programmes at the university.
Altogether, 1,239 students have completed their degree, diploma and certificate programme this year, he added.
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