Have advanced skill set: Murmu to students

President Droupadi Murmu has highlighted the change in trend brought by women in various fields, including education. She was addressing the gathering at the 72nd Panjab University convocation featuring the traditional attire as dress code replacing the robes today.

Murmu is the first female President to address a PU convocation. Her address in Hindi, which lasted 9 minutes and 48 seconds, was the shortest among the speeches delivered by five former Presidents and dignitaries presiding over the PU convocation in the past.

The, event, which was held at the gymnasium hall, saw 679 women, out of a total of 872 students, being awarded degrees or medals.

“I have been informed that the ratio of students (male and female) studying in this university is almost equal. However, there are over 80 per cent female toppers in the achiever’s list today. I congratulate all toppers, especially the female achievers. The achievement is a clear example of women empowerment, as they have a lot to contribute towards the development and uplifting of the society,” said the President.

She also advised the authorities to focus on developing university-industry linkage and future-readiness. “The university should work more in such areas to nurture the institution’s 140-year-old history. The focus should not be only on making students capable of getting jobs in various fields but also to make them capable of tackling life’s challenges. The coming future will be very competitive, and the competition of achieving the best will be at peak. So, it’s important for students to have a positive mindset and advanced skill-set,” she said, while stressing the importance of emerging technologies. “You are lucky to be a part of this university, which has produced many laureates, India’s president and prime minister and other well-known personalities. I hope you carry forward the legacy of such humans from the university, who have given their best for a better future. You (the students) should remain attached to your university,” she added.

The President also appreciated the university’s achievement of bagging the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy several times, and achieving various rankings.

Murmu is the sixth President of India —- after Pranab Mukherjee (2015), Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (2007), Giani Zail Singh (1985), Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1981) and Dr Rajendra Prasad (1951) — to attend the university’s convocation.

First event without Senate

For the first time in the history of the university, the convocation was held in the absence of a proper Senate or Syndicate — the university’s governing body. The term of the last senate ended in October and no dates for fresh elections have been issued by the authorities since then. The issue, which was a ‘hot topic’ among various political groups till last December, didn’t find any mention ahead of the President’s visit and no former office-bearer raised it with the authorities or in the media. The Senate comprises 91 members.