Eliminate unemployability, Governor asks academics
Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, celebrated its 50th Foundation Day on Saturday. Haryana Governor-cum-MDU Chancellor Bandaru Dattatreya was the chief guest, while Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda and State Higher Education Council Chairman Prof Kailash Chandra Sharma, were the guest of honour on the occasion.
The celebrations began with a havan ceremony. This was followed by the inauguration of the Graduate Glory Wall at Pariksha Bhavan, the dedication of Dayanand Vatika and the opening of a modern faculty cafeteria by the Governor-Chancellor. A grand exhibition showcased the journey and achievements of all departments, institutes and centres of the university over the past 50 years.
In his address, Dattatreya exhorted the academic community to actively work towards eliminating unemployability, casteism and corruption. The Chancellor appreciated the university’s role in advancing innovation, information technology, biotechnology, sustainability, women empowerment and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
He said, “The MDU has awarded as many as 28,42,135 degrees to 19,19,227 graduates, 9,12,119 to postgraduates, 6,04,577 to doctorates and 4,332 to PhDs.”
Dhanda appreciated initiatives such as the Happitude Lab and called for deeper efforts in entrepreneurship and innovation in line with Viksit Bharat @2047.
Prof Sharma underscored the importance of NEP-2020, Indian knowledge systems, and the revival of Bharatiya education values. He asked universities to blend civilisational wisdom with global academic practices.
MDU Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajbir Singh announced the launch of 50 new research fellowships and two institutional research chairs — one in life sciences and pharmacy, and another in physical sciences, engineering and technology. As of now, the university has 10 research chairs, all in social sciences. The Golden Jubilee logo, a special souvenir, calendar of activities, the inaugural issue of MDU Mirror (the university newsletter) and the alumni website were also launched on the occasion.
In a felicitation ceremony, 180 undergraduate and postgraduate toppers, innovators including Team Dafeteria, Youth Red Cross and NSS volunteers, outstanding athletes, faculty members with research awards and distinguished services, and meritorious non-teaching staff were honoured. Rehabilitation Council of India Chairperson Dr Sharanjit Kaur, Rohtak Mayor Ram Avtar Balmiki and Chaudhary Bansi Lal University Vice-Chancellor Prof Deepti Dharmani were also present on the occasion.
