Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said Indian universities are gaining global recognition today due to futuristic policies and decisions in the education sector.
Speaking at the valedictory Ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Delhi University, Mr Modi said, there was a time when Delhi University had just three colleges, now it has more than 90 colleges. He said, there was a time when India used to come under the list of fragile economies and today it is among the top five economies in the world. Mr Modi said, in 2014, only 12 Indian universities were there in QS World University Rankings, now it has risen to 45.
Prime Minister said, Delhi University has completed 100 years at a time when the nation is celebrating Amrit Mahotsav for completing 75 years of independence. He said, Delhi University is not just a university, but a movement. Mr Modi said, Delhi University has more female students than male students, indicating significant improvement in the gender ratio. He said, a large number of Universities and Colleges are being established across the country. Prime Minister said, in the last few years, the number of institutions like IIT, IIM, NIT and AIIMS is increasing continuously. Mr Modi said, all these institutions are becoming the building blocks of New India.
Prime Minister said, India’s soft power can become a success story for country’s youth. He said, they need to shape their mindsets, and universities must assist them in refining their goals and objectives. Mr Modi said, today’s youth wants to do something new and not be limited to just a degree, and aims to carve their own path.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, in the last hundred years, Delhi University has given many scientists, public leaders, industrialists and journalists to the country. He said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the government implemented the new National Education Policy after 34 years. Mr. Pradhan congratulated Delhi University for implementing National Education Policy.
Prime Minister reached University by Delhi Metro. He interacted with the students at Delhi University. During the programme, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Delhi University Computer Centre and the building of the Faculty of Technology, and the Academic Block which will be built in the North Campus of the University. The University of Delhi was established on 1st May 1922. In the last hundred years, the University has grown and expanded immensely and now has 86 departments, and 90 Colleges. Over six lakh students have passed out from the University so far.
Prime Minister reached by Metro
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives by Delhi Metro at the valedictory ceremony of the centenary celebrations of University of Delhi. Mentioning this in his address, he said that he had reached here from Delhi Metro station chatting with his young colleagues. He said that for him coming to University of Delhi is like coming among his own people. He said that he was sure that he would get a chance to meet his old colleagues when he came here and he is getting that chance today. The Prime Minister said that no matter which year you have passed out from the University of Delhi, when two DU people meet anywhere, they can spend hours together.
Exhibition on 100 years of DU’s glorious journey
An exhibition was also organized on the occasion in the basement of the Multipurpose Hall. Organized on the glorious journey of 100 years of the University, special material was collected from various colleges and central archives of the University etc. in this exhibition. In addition, foreign students, Para Olympians from University of Delhi and NCWEB participants also participated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the exhibition and also interacted with the students.
Lakhs of people directly and indirectly associated with the ceremony
The valedictory ceremony of the centenary year celebrations was also telecast live which was shown on screens in all the colleges and departments of University of Delhi. In this way, in addition to about 4000 people who were directly involved in the program, about four lakh people were also involved in this historic closing ceremony in a virtual (indirect) way.
Former Vice President had inaugurated the centenary celebrations
University of Delhi was established in the year 1922 on 1st May. Last year, the centenary year celebrations were started by the university on the completion of hundred years of its establishment. The university’s centenary celebrations were inaugurated on May 1, 2022, with the then Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu as the chief guest and Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, as the guest of honour. During the ceremony, a centenary commemorative stamp and a commemorative coin of Rs 100 were also released to commemorate the university’s 100 years of historical journey.
Year round programs
Several programs were organized during the year-long centenary celebrations. During this year, under the Centenary Chance, those alumni also got a chance to complete their degrees, who could not complete their degrees in their time due to some reasons. Many major academic and administrative decisions were taken by University of Delhi in the centenary year. These include important decisions like accepting and implementing the new UGCF syllabus as per the National Education Policy 2020 and enrolment at undergraduate and postgraduate level on the basis of entrance examination through CUET.