Education not just means of getting degree or employment: Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot

“Education is not just a means of getting a degree or employment but it is ‘sanskar’, a process of developing morality, empathy and social responsibility in one,” Governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of Davangere University Thawar Chand Gehlot said.

He was presiding over the 13^th annual convocation of Davangere University at the campus on the outskirts of Davangere on January 30.

“India has the highest youth population in the world. This youth power is the backbone of the country. As Swami Vivekanand has said, the youths of the nation should be committed to the development of the nation as a whole,” he said.

The Governor said that by the time India celebrates its centenary year of freedom, the future of the nation would be in the hands of present-day youth. The responsibility of making the country a leader in technology is on the shoulders of the youth, he said.

Mr. Gehlot said that in the era of artificial intelligence, data sciences, students should not limit themselves to campus placements. Instead, they should come out with innovative ideas to set up start-ups.

“Never be afraid of defeat. In the world of start-ups, defeat is a valuable lesson,” he told the students and requested them to be always grateful to their parents and teachers.

Honorary doctorates

The Governor conferred honorary doctoral degrees on Prof. C.H. Murigendrappa, M. Ramappa, and L. Revanasiddaiah in recognition of their contribution in various fields. He presented 87 gold medals to 45 students, and doctoral degrees to 70 students.

Convocation address

As Vasudev K. Aatre, former Director General of DRDO and former scientific advisor to the defence minister, who was to deliver the convocation address, could not make it to the event due to unavoidable circumstances, the speech was read out by Dean of Sociology Prof. Lokesh.

Vasudev Aatre emphasised that global environmental issues could be resolved only through science and technology, as it provided innovative and assured solutions. He said that along with advanced and innovative technologies, sustainable changes, strong political leadership, and global coordination were essential to have a healthy Earth.

Welcoming the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.D. Kumbar said that, in all, 12,706 graduate and post-graduate degrees were being conferred at the 13^th annual convocation.

Listing out various achievements of the university, Prof. Kumbar said that the university had adopted 10 villages, and taken steps for their overall development.

Registrar S.B. Ganti, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. C.K. Ramesh, and deans of various streams were present.