Bhubaneswar: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday expressed confidence that Utkal University will emerge as an Institute of Eminence in the next five to seven years.
Addressing the closing ceremony of platinum jubilee celebrations of the varsity in its campus in Bhubaneswar today, Kovind said, “In the next 5 to 7 years, I would like to see Utkal University emerge as an Institute of Eminence in our country. This status will carry with it not only recognition but also greater autonomy and higher funding."
As Utkal University celebrates the completion of 75 years of its existence, Kovind said, it is time to take stock of its achievements and the areas where further improvements are possible.
Kovind also called upon the Utkal University alumni to create an endowment fund to be used for the development of infrastructure and establishment of centres of excellence. Moreover, he also praised the university by saying that it has created many scholars who have made the country proud.
"For the whole Utkal community, it is time to re-dedicate themselves to the vision of the founders. I am confident that the University will remain committed to playing a significant role in higher education and research, nationally and globally," said the President.
Environment, health and education should be taken up vigorously and institutions like Utkal University that are endowed with multi-disciplinary faculty are better equipped to undertake this task, the President said.
Acknowledging that universities are great hubs of ideas for social reforms, Kovind said that the academic community should be engaged in research in areas that create not only a new knowledge base but also a knowledge base that sustains human society.
He added, "Students and teachers should be sensitive towards the themes of empowerment of the marginalised section. Environment, health and education should be taken up vigorously. Universities like Utkal that are endowed with multi-disciplinary faculty are better equipped to undertake this task. Moreover, the world has started taking note of the richness of India’s ancient knowledge systems. Our universities need to harness this and Utkal can take the lead in this regard."
Kovind further said that he is confident that the varsity is poised to scale even greater heights in future and contribute significantly to building a knowledge-driven society fully equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.
"Education is the best tool for social empowerment. I am not only a passionate advocate of this belief but stand before you as a proof of it too. Universities are great hubs of ideas, but they are not ivory towers. They are part of society and thus remain engaged with social change," Kovind said.
Governor Ganeshi Lal, CM Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, State's Higher Education Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo were among the other dignitaries who graced the occasion.
During the event, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said, Utkal University is an Institute of Eminence not only in Odisha but also in the entire country. Let us work together to take it to new heights of glory."
Getting nostalgic after attending the event, BJP MLA Bishnu Sethi who is an alumnus of the varsity, called upon the State government and Centre to work to transform the university into a global institute.