“It is the knowledge and the people who are become critical in today’s world. Since knowledge is the principal resource that the university creates and disseminates, its position in this new society becomes all the more important. The rise of new age organizations is clearly highlighting the importance of gaining a greater degree of understanding on what ‘knowledge capital’ means. Since people, knowledge, skills and entrepreneurship are going to play a key role in the functioning of the next society, universities need to change, turn entrepreneurial if they are to contribute and stay relevant in today’s society. Universities must analyze the domains of knowledge imparted by them vis-à-vis marketable skills that blend with the corresponding domains. This is a necessary task and I think Utkal University must take this challenge,” he said while addressing the 48th Convocation of Utkal University here.
He said efforts should be to impart such education that would advance global knowledge and help to create a ‘knowledge economy’. It must also provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for acquiring jobs in an ambience of rapidly growing global knowledge and continuously emerging new technologies, he pointed out.
He further said excellence is the result of sincere effort, skilful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities.
“It is a continuous process by which you can inculcate the habit of putting in best efforts in everything that you do. It might be the smallest things that you do or the most important, you must put on heart and soul into doing your work in the best possible manner. Your commitment should not be towards achieving a certain result, but towards making a habit of excellence with great sincerity and passion,” the Governor said and called upon the teachers and students to practice positive values in their both behavior and actions.
Delivering convocation address, Dr Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority said, violence and corruption drive away good money and good investment. As a result, over time, the quality and quantity of employment of an entire region suffers. He urged upon students to take a deep breath and reflect upon the events around. He asked to denounce acts of violence in every sphere of life and shun violent people.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Ashok Kumar Das, Director, Higher Education Prof Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, Registrar MK Biswal among others were in the dais.
On this occasion, the Governor conferred Doctorate degree to six eminent personalities, Ph.D to 281 scholars and gold medal to 88 students.
Those who were conferred with Doctorate degree are eminent surgeon Dr Mukut Minz, former Direector of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Dr Ashok Mohapatra, well-known social activist Arundhati Devi, CMD of NLC India Ltd Dr Sarat Kumar Acharya, Director General, CIPET, Sanjay Kumar Nayak, National Law School of India University Prof R Venkat Rao.
“I have received the award after a long time and this is like a lifetime achievement award. I thank and Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and Syndicate members of Utkal University for selecting me as they found that I am worthy of this award,” Dr Minz told media persons here.
Dr Sarada Prasanna Mohanty, who was conferred with the Ph.D dgree, expressed his happiness for the award. “I am very happy to receive the Ph.D as it is almost the last award for a student in his/her academic career. I thank the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors and professors for their sincere cooperation in enabling me to receive the Ph.D,” he added.
Monica Behera, a medical student of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, said it was a rare occasion for her to receive the award. After a gap of 10-14 years, a medical student of a government medical college has been awarded with a gold medal in clinical subject. “As I come from a fraternity of surgeons and my father is also a surgeon, I feel proud of receiving the award from the Chancellor.