Tezpur University celebrates 24th Foundation Day

From a Correspondent

Tezpur, Jan 21: The 24th foundation day of Tezpur University was celebrated with a day-long programme on Saturday.

The establishment of Tezpur University is considered to be one of the outcomes of the Assam Accord, along with the establishment of Assam University and Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. It was established by an Act of Parliament in 1994, the opening of which was chaired by the then Prime Minister of India, PV rasimha Rao. Initially, the university functioned from the premises of the Darrang College, in Tezpur. Later it was shifted to paam, a suburb of Tezpur, about 15 kilometre east from here with an area of 242 acres (0.98 square kilometers). Cultural icon Kalaguru Bishnuprasad Rabha had doted an ancestral estate of 2500 bighas, received from the British government in favour of the peasants. The present-day Tezpur University stands on the land doted by him.

The programme was made gracious by two orations by noted entrepreneur Ranjit Barthakur, founder trustee, Balipara Foundation and Dr. Gunter Pauli, founder, Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI). The event started with hoisting of the university's flag by the Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University, Prof. Mihir K. Chaudhuri in the presence of other dignitaries and guests.

The chairperson of the organizing committee, Prof. Robin Kumar Dutta, in his welcome address, mentioned that TU was born as a result of the Assam Movement and thus, there had been high hopes from this university and so far the university had stood up to the expectations, as seen from the recent achievements of the University, viz. Visitor's Best University Award, 2016, 5th in NIRF India Ranking (by MHRD) 2016 and Accreditation of 'A' Grade by AC during the same year.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Mihir K. Chaudhuri, the Vice-Chancellor, urged the TU fraternity to do serious introspection and systematic alysis of what had been done so far, especially in the last 10 years, and to try to improve in the niche areas with more hard work. He emphasized the undergraduate research activities, students' participations in teaching-learning process and initiatives of campus start-ups. He added that the universities had to adopt more skill-based programmes and implement them effectively so as to make students ready for the future, as well as to contribute in increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER).

Delivering the Foundation Day Oration, noted entrepreneur Ranjit Barthakur talked about social entrepreneurship and greenovating the future through reinventing old ideas. He urged the students to choose the path of social entrepreneurship.

Dr. Gunter Pauli, during his oration, talked about various eco-friendly and sustaible business models. He emphasized that business models should adhere to ethics and be so aimed as to protect Mother Earth, and thus offer better solutions to existing problems. He also urged upon making such models that create more and more income opportunities for the cultivators and growers.

Dr. Pauli also gave away the prizes for Best Abstract and Questions on the works of Nobel Laureates, 2016 to the students.