Berhampur: President Draupadi Murmu on Friday urged students of Berhampur University at Bhanja Bihar in Odisha’s Ganjam district to utilise their studies and knowledge for the betterment of society and country.
“Remember that your education is not just for yourself, but for the betterment of the society as a whole,” said the President while addressing the 25th convocation of the university. “India has pioneered in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the young generation can boost it further,” she said.
The President’s speech was dominated by women empowerment and the remarkable participation of women in every field, including science and technology, police, army, literature, culture, dance and music. “We are moving from the phase of women’s development to women-led development,” she said.
“I have attended many convocations of different universities in many states and am happy to learn that more and more girls have come forward everywhere for higher education. This is a new trend. Women constituting 49 per cent of our population have stridden into various fields including science, technology, defence and police forces,” she said.
Presiding over the function, Governor Raghubar Das said Berhampur University has strengthened its higher education system and taken it to a higher level. He said India is now ranked as the fifth-best economy in the world and the young generation can boost it further and take it to the third spot.
Odisha Minister of Higher Education Atanusabyasachi Nayak highlighted on the quality of education provided in the state. “We are having 17 universities in Odisha and the state government is providing huge money for the infrastructure development of these universities,” he said.
Vice Chancellor Berhampur University Prof Geetanjali Dash said the university has taken a long stride in teaching and research in various fields and has proven itself as a centre of excellence in education since its establishment on January 2, 1967. “We are providing quality education in consonance with the motto of Berhampur University ‘Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya’ which means lead me from darkness unto light,” she said.
DLitt was conferred on three scholars, DSc on one, PhD on 43 scholars and 35 students were presented gold medals for topping in different subjects in 2023 during the convocation.
Currently, Berhampur University has 24 regular PG departments and four self-financing courses. Of the 2,500 students, 60 per cent are girls. The university also provides a degree in Military Science.
The university has signed MoU with 21 reputed universities across the country and has nurtured two centres of excellence in Nano Science and Biotechnology.