Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati through video-conferencing. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal also attended the event.
Addressing the students, PM Modi said that the future of a nation is what the youth of today think. Your dreams are about to shape the reality of India. It is time to prepare for the future. He said the aim of the National Education Policy (NEP) is to open camps of foreign universities in the country.
Read the highlights of PM Modi's address: -
I am well aware of how difficult it has been to conduct academic sessions, to continue research work during this epidemic. But still, you achieved this success. For your efforts, I congratulate you for your contribution towards making the country self-reliant.
The National Education Policy has been made multi-disciplinary. The subjects are given flexibility. There have been many entry-exit opportunities. The National Education Policy will link education with technology, that is, students will also be taught about technology and will also be taught through technology.
A National Research Foundation has also been proposed in NEP to enrich the research culture in the country. NRF research funding will be coordinated with all funding agencies and funding will be provided for all disciplines, be it science or humanities.
I am happy that today, around 300 of our young fellows are being given Ph.D. degrees in this convocation and this is a very positive trend. I am sure that all of you will not stop here, but research will become a habit for you. It will remain part of your thinking process.
NEP talks of opening up the education sector of the country. The aim is to open campuses of foreign universities in the country and our students should get global exposure here. Research partnerships and exchange programs between Indian and global institutions will be promoted.
This region of the Northeast is also the center of India's Act East Policy. This region is also the gateway to India's relation with South East Asia. Culture, trade, engagement, and potential have been the mainstay of relations with these countries. Now education is also going to become another new medium.
I will also request IIT Guwahati to establish a 'Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction'. This center will also provide the area with the expertise to deal with disasters and turn disasters into opportunities.