Addresses 5th convocation of IIM Jammu
Jammu: Advising students to remain quick learners and re-learners throughout their life, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that India’s future depends on good education of our young population.
“Remain quick learners and re-learners throughout your life. The role of fast paced technological changes is going to be disruptive,” Kovind said while addressing the Fifth Convocation of Indian Institute Management of Jammu here this evening.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the event.
The President said that the role of fast paced technological changes is going to be disruptive, adding, “Education is the greatest enabler. The future of our country depends on the good education of our young population.”
“Institutes like IIM Jammu are nurturing our youth. These talented young people are going to build the India of the future. They are going to make the lives of the people better, and the country stronger,” the President observed.
He said, “as we know, the National Education Policy seeks to position India as a ‘Knowledge Hub’ in today’s knowledge economy. It seeks to make our youth equipped for the world of the 21st century while preserving our ancient values which remain relevant even today.”
“For India to become a global knowledge hub, our institutes of learning have to be globally comparable,” he said and expressed happiness noting that the number of Indian institutions in the global ranking is gradually increasing.
He said that new institutions like IIM Jammu should quickly adopt global best practices and aspire for higher ranking.
The President said that aided by convergence of technologies and opportunities, many start-ups have become very successful and are being described as the emerging mainstay of the Indian economy.
“Unicorns, most of which are set up by young people, must be a source of inspiration for all students,” he said and added, “the mindset of being a job-giver and not a job-seeker among the youth of India is one of the key factors in our country having one of the best start-up ecosystems in the world.”
“I am happy to note that IIM Jammu, in collaboration with DICCI and CII, is going to set up a special diversity cell for helping potential entrepreneurs from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes,” he added and appreciated everyone concerned with this initiative to promote entrepreneurship and inclusion.
The shelf life of technologies is getting shorter, he said.
Kovind added that therefore, the shelf life of management and leadership styles is also going to be shorter and added, to deal with such a scenario, they have to move from the mindset of ‘utilizing the known’ to the approach of ‘exploring the unknown’.
“They (students) have to move beyond their comfort zones to the areas of uncertainty and have to convert challenges into opportunities,” he advised.
The President further asked the students to be ‘pro-changers’ and yet be sensitise to ‘no-changers’ for converting them as supporters of change.
Students have to look at tomorrow while learning from yesterday and have to create a future based on the relevant learning from the past, said Kovind.
The President advised them to keep an open mind, an open heart and a strong will and said, “a really good entrepreneur, good manager or a good business leader is one who believes in doing well by doing good. Excellence and ethics go together.” (UNI)