Bhubaneswar: Education must be complemented by skills to create true competence and equip young people to meet the changing needs of society, said former Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan at the 36th convocation of Sambalpur University Monday.
Addressing the convocation, Pradhan said the knowledge and skills gained at universities should inspire young people to shoulder greater responsibility towards society. Individual responsibility, he said, was vital to protecting the rights and security of people.
He congratulated the graduates, postgraduates, diploma holders and gold medallists, and commended their teachers and parents for supporting their achievements.
Describing Sambalpur University and its campus as important centres of personality development, Pradhan said the world was undergoing rapid change driven by disruptive technologies and artificial intelligence. Students should combine deep reading with the judicious use of emerging technologies to address new challenges facing society and the region, he said.
Referring to ancient rock paintings at Asurgarh and Bhima Mandali in Bargarh, Pradhan said the Mahanadi basin contained scientific evidence of civilisations dating back thousands of years. The younger generation should preserve and carry forward this rich heritage rather than confining its aspirations to personal and family advancement, he said.
With Odisha set to celebrate the centenary of its formation in 2036 and India the centenary of Independence in 2047, the youth must take on a greater role in shaping the future of the State and the country, Pradhan said.
He expressed hope that Sambalpur University would emerge as a leading institution in research, social studies and skill development through collaboration with the National Research Foundation, while its students would contribute to building the country’s intellectual capital.
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati and Higher Education, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Suryabanshi Suraj were among those present at the convocation.
