Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan attends 27th NEHU convocation

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday attended the 27th Convocation of the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Meghalaya as the Chief Guest and conferred degrees on the students for 2020 and 2021 at a ceremony held in the Shillong campus.

Pradhan congratulated all the passing out students and extended his best wishes for their bright future.

He urged them to bring in the change in the society by participating in the knowledge-based revolution to become job providers.

"Our universities are melting pots of ideas, innovation and aspirations and universities should be a breeding ground for research - research for welfare of society and mankind and for furthering ease-of-living," he added. The Minister highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a transformative pathway for all in creating global citizens.

He said that the NEP focuses on universalization of early childhood care and education and also emphasises on learning in all Indian languages. Pradhan complimented Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for giving special focus on early childhood care and education in the State of Meghalaya in line with the NEP 2020.

The Meghalaya Chief Minister, in his turn, urged the passing out students to explore and take calculated risks in life in order to reach the next level.

"Do not get demoralized by failure and do not let success get on to your head," said the Chief Minister to the students. A total of 15,955 degrees were awarded today during the convocation, out of which 117 were PhDs, 8 were M Phils, 1,559 were PG degrees and 14,271 were Bachelor's degrees.

Meghalaya Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Vice-Chancellor NEHU Professor PS Shukla, faculty and students of NEHU gathered at the event.

Later, the Union Minister along with the Meghalaya Chief Minister and State Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui held a review meeting of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, where senior officers of the Central Government also attended.

Pradhan was happy to learn that Meghalaya is implementing the NEP in letter and spirit across all spheres. He said that the State Government's initiatives like Aspire Meghalaya and Prime Meghalaya are formalizing talent discovery, recognising skills, supporting entrepreneurship and unlocking the potential of Meghalaya.

He said that progressive States like Meghalaya must also lead efforts for establishing the national digital infrastructure, especially student registration portals, as a part of the NDEAR and also bring its institutions under the NIRF and NAAC framework.

He also suggested that NEHU should act as a knowledge partner for institutions across the State, especially in imparting skill development in frontier areas. The Union Education Ministry will extend all support to make Meghalaya a model State in education and entrepreneurship.

Later in the day, Pradhan visited the Umsning Presbyterian School. He said that this school in the Ri Bhoi district will produce future leaders who will become neurosurgeons, pilots, engineers, soccer players, musicians etc., and reaffirm the faith that India is going to become a knowledge-based society.

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