Mohali (Punjab) [India]: President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday attended the fifteenth anniversary celebrations of the Indian School of Business ( ISB) in Mohali.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said, “Universities and Institutions of higher learning have the huge responsibility of providing quality education, training and skilling to the nation’s youth. Failure to do so will lead to the demographic dividend turning into a demographic disaster.”
President Mukherjee said, “India has more than 750 universities, 36,000 colleges and several other institutions, but the quality of education leaves much to be desired.”
“Leave apart figuring in international rankings, most of the institutions are not even making their graduates sufficiently employable,” he added.
The President said, “Indian students and our young minds are bright, creative and innovative. It is for the institutions of higher learning to provide them with a conducive atmosphere to excel.”
Citing the examples of Dr. Hargobind Khurana and others who became Nobel Laureates while at Universities/Institutions abroad after having completed initial education in India, he said India will have to provide our students an atmosphere that facilitates their success.
The President exhorted students to become job givers rather than becoming job seekers. He hoped that India’s third largest eco-system of 4,500 startups will soon enhance to 10,000 new enterprises.
President Mukherjee called upon youth and graduates to add social commitment and social responsibilities to their aspirations in life ahead, with the aim of giving back to society.
Describing them as citizens of a free nation with no fear or baggage, he asked students to take risks in life, innovate, create and make a difference. (ANI)