Governor Paul asks Uttarakhand varsities to re-orient themselves according to new challenges

Dehradun: Noting that universities today face the challenge of producing cadres of skilled youth who can take up research and leadership roles, Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul today asked them to re-orient themselves in accordance with the changing times and develop an academic base which gives confidence to students.

"In this era of globalisation, universities face the challenge of creating a global cadre of youth with education that helps them to take up research and leadership roles.

"They need to orient themselves accordingly to achieve this end. So that students feel confident enough and have the skills required for start-ups and entrepreneurship," Paul said speaking as the chief guest at the 13th convocation of Kumaun University.

Underlining the need for the universities to move with the changing times and think in terms of special courses on various skills, he said, "In a fast changing global economic scenario, our youth have to be prepared with specific skills to face the challenge of competition and feel at home anywhere in the world."

"Educational institutions must draw up curriculum designs that are not only more relevant and job-oriented, but also futuristic," he said.

The Governor also praised the University for its outreach into the interiors of the Kumaun region as well as starting to work towards creating possibilities of cooperation and collaboration through joint research and technological development programs with international institutions.

"The Kumaun University has adhered to its academic calendar which is an achievement. It has got an 'A' certificate from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and should ensure, through sustained efforts, that it moves towards greater achievements," Paul said.

Asking the university to focus more on patents, he said its Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Centre must accelerate its research activities.

He said that in addition to the established disciplines, our Universities should now focus on the emerging areas such as environmental studies, information and communication technology, bio-informatics and entrepreneurship development.

The Governor also advised the students to spend as much time as possible in the university laboratory.