Jamia is doing excellent work in gender equality, women empowerment, innovation, says HRD minister
Andalib Akhter / New Delhi
The President of India Ram Nath Kovind today applauded Jamia Millia Islamia, JMI for its role in imparting education and promoting communal harmony in the country.
He said that Jamia had set an example of unity in diversity and cohesion. ‘It is an identity of our society and the nation”. Now it is the responsibility of students to maintain this great tradition of the university. He also recalled that the establishment of Jamia is associated with the freedom struggle. He quoted a line from JMI’s Tarana (anthem) ‘उठे थे सुनके जो आवाज़े–रहबराने–वतन’ and said it described the patriotism of its founders.
In his address at the annual convocation of Jamia Millia Islamia, President said that in order to connect every section of the society with development, University’s Social Responsibility (USR) like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) needs to be emphasized.
He noted that Jamia has adopted five villages under the ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’. He asked Jamia if it can adopt some more villages. He said that while working for this campaign, students should go to those villages and try to understand their issues. They should make villagers aware of the schemes like the cleanliness of the village, literacy, vaccination of all children and nutrition. He said that students should also provide villagers with information about Central and State Government schemes. Such efforts would help the weaker sections of the society and increase students’ awareness and sensitivity towards rural areas, the President pointed out.
President said that the government has been making changes in education eco-system to adapt it to contemporary challenges. One of the important objectives of the ‘National Education Policy’ proposed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development is to establish India as a ‘knowledge superpower’.
“ The whole world is aware of the immense talent of the students of India. All educational institutions in the country have to contribute to making proper use of this talent. Special contributions are expected from prestigious institutions like ‘Jamia’” said Mr Kovind.
“ The whole world is aware of the immense talent of the students of India. All educational institutions in the country have to contribute to making proper use of this talent. Special contributions are expected from prestigious institutions like ‘Jamia’” said Mr Kovind.
President congratulated Vice-chancellor and other dignitaries for taking new initiatives to improve the standard of the Jamia in all sphere.
“Jamia Milia Islamia is doing excellent work in gender equality, women empowerment, innovation, creation of a non-discriminatory environment and in agreement with leading national and international institutions in the field of education,” said union minister for HRD Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal
Text of Speech link attached here
Minister praised JMI’s continuous endeavour to improve its national and international rankings and also lauded its efforts to run job-oriented courses with the help of industries. Recalling JMI contribution to the freedom struggle, he said that it was a matter of pride that the institution has entered into 100 years of its existence today.
He said that the university has established it own identity by implementing Government policies and discharging its social responsibilities.
Talking about the proposed new education policy of his Ministry, he said that this will lay the formation stone of new India and will provide technical, scientific and job-oriented education to girls, minorities and under-privileged sections of the society.
Addressing the Convocation, both JMI Chancellor, Dr. Najma Heptulla and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Najma Akhtar forcefully pleaded the government for help in setting up a Medical College-cum-Hospital in the university.
Pressing for a Medical College-cum-Hospital, Dr. Heptulla strongly urge both President and Union Minister for HRD to help the university in acquiring land for the purpose.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Najma Akhtar, said that the university is planning to put JMI on the national map in respect of Environmental Studies and Climate Action.
New departments relating to Environment Sciences, Design and Innovation, Hospital Management and Hospice Studies are in the offing, she said.
The Convocation proceeding was conducted by the Registrar, Mr. A.P. Siddiqui (IPS) attended, among others, by a large number of students, faculty members, officials, dignitaries, ambassadors and former vice-chancellors.