Respect dignity of work & labour: Arunachal governor BD Mishra

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh governor Brig (Retd) BD Mishra on Saturday participated in the 17th Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) held at the University Campus at Rono Hills near Itanagar.

RGU is the lone central university of the state.

In his address, the governor said that the convocation is a special occasion for the students, their parents and guardians and also for the faculty and the university. He said that convocation is the beginning of the journey for the students into the realm of responsibilities.

The governor called upon the passing out students to show themselves worthy of the degree conferred on them. The right path, he advised was of nationalism, good citizenship, entrepreneurship and compliance with fundamental duties.

The governor asked the passing out students to respect the dignity of work and labour. He highlighted the promising scope in agriculture-related fields, such as agriculture, horticulture, dairy, poultry, piggery, sericulture, pisciculture and apiculture etc. These sectors are easiest and best for food security and self-sustenance, the governor said. He advised them to work with integrity and succeed with integrity, unmindful of the challenges which are sure to come on their path.

In his address to the students, Mishra said that their academic pursuit should not be confined for certification and seeking job. He advised them to study for knowledge, which gives confidence and spirit for enterprise.

The governor urged upon the student community to contribute toward ‘Nation First Initiatives’ like ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, ‘Say no to one-time-use plastic’ and ‘Jal Hi Jeevan Hai’. He exhorted them to ‘Fit India’ mission, while stating that ‘happy mind exists only in a healthy body’.

While sharing his interactions in the recently concluded conference of the governors about new education policy, the governor said that to improve the quality of higher education, there must be competent faculty and good teaching. Selection of faculty must be merit-based with transparency, without fear, favour or ill will.

“The selection process must be videographed,” he said.

He further suggested for ‘Startup’ oriented curriculum and interface with the development of regional developmental requirements.

There must be appraisal of faculty and other teaching staff, he emphasised.

Meanwhile, the governor presented the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the Academic session of 2018-19 to Utpal Dutta, M.Sc. (Chemistry) and the Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Medal for the Academic session of 2018-19 to Kajal Kumari Sah: BCA (Bachelor in Computer Application). He also presented the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy to the qualified candidates, while the Tezpur University vice-chancellor Professor Vinod Kumar Jain presented the degrees of Master of Philosophy.

Earlier, Professor Jain earlier delivered the convocation speech while RGU vice-chancellor Professor Saket Kushwaha, in his welcome address, highlighted the achievements and new initiatives in the university.

RGU pro vice-chancellor Professor A Mitra, registrar Professor Tamo Riba, deans, teaching faculty, officers of the university along with distinguished guests, graduating students and scholars, their families and friends participated in the convocation.