Educational institutions should take global ranking process seriously: Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi: An Educational institutions to take global ranking process "seriously" to level up top ranks in international rating agency reports and said there was no lack of excellence or merit among teachers and students of the country, President Pranab Mukherjee told on Wednesday.

While speaking at the Founder's Day celebration at St Stephen's College, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed happiness that two Indian institutions figured in top 200 in the world and hoped that many more will follow soon.

"He said that in every educational congregation he has emphasised on the fact that Indian institutions should take the ranking process seriously in order to find a place in the top ranks in reports by international rating agencies. This is because we have excellent faculty members as well as brilliant students and do not lack in merit," a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said quoting Mukherjee.

The spokesperson said the President emphasised on providing necessary skills, education and training to the young population to ensure availability of world job market to them, otherwise the demographic dividend will turn into a "liability."

The country should have growth along with increasing opportunities for employment, he added.

The President said it was important to create an atmosphere of research and innovation as well as a spirit of questioning in educational institutions.

Expressing happiness on being part of Founder's Day Celebration of the 135-year-old institution, Mukherjee urged the students of the College that through whatever position they occupy in society in future, they should contribute towards solving the problems of the people of the country, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added, the president also pointed to the need of solving the problem of energy deficiency without disturbing the environment.

Lt Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung was also present in the function.

St Stephen's observes death anniversary of Canon Samule Scott Allnutt, December 7, as its Founder's Day.

(With PTI inputs)