THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, Ltd. Dr. R.S. Sodhi Ji,
• Vice-Chancellor Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Prof. Anu Singh Lather Ji,
• Secretary (Higher Education) Ms. Alice R. Vaz Ji,
• Members of the Faculty,
• Friends from the media,
• Parents and dear graduating students,

1. It gives me immense pleasure to be amidst you on the occasion of 11thAnnual Convocation of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD).  At the outset, I would like to congratulate all the students passing out of the portals of their alma mater, into a new phase of life today.  I would also like to place on record my appreciation for the parents, teachers and faculty, who resiliently stood with and behind the young scholars passing out today and helped them achieve their goal.  It is indeed a proverbial Red Letter Day for all of you.  

2. Dear Students,  
   Convocations are one of the most significant milestones, in the lives of any individual.  These are turning points in life where, while some of you will decide to pursue higher academic pursuits, others will opt for a professional career.  For whatever you do, to my mind there are a twin dictum that should always guide you.  First, let the thirst of knowledge never get quenched in you.  Let inquisitiveness and ingenuity forever be the guiding motif in this regard.  Secondly, in whatever you do, strive to be a good human being who is compassionate and empathetic towards the needs of the society around you.  Let inclusivity, innovation and intervention be your talisman in this regard.  I am sure that your University has equipped you with the ability to evolve in consonance with the motifs and the talisman that I mention.   

3. Dear Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen,
   Close to 15 years of its existence, AUD has established a steep growth curve. It has evolved several structures and mechanisms that work in tandem, to pursue the goals of providing quality education while ensuring equity. Functioning from a heritage building, the University has done exceedingly well in utilising its infrastructure in most efficient manner. This has been made possible because of the stakeholders of the University, who have followed the shared vision and mission, drawn from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s philosophy.

4. A fine example of this was seen during the challenging period of Covid-19 pandemic, when each constituent of AUD utilised its core strengths to attain this vision. The spirit and resilience, which the University demonstrated in ensuring that the students complete their studies, in time, is laudable. The students’ sincere efforts and commitments also deserve to be appreciated, if not more, in equal measures.
5. This University has come to be known for its academic excellence, creativity, innovative pedagogy, and strong commitment to equity. As it expands, it is hoped that these principles and values will enable it to include a larger number of students from socio-historically disadvantaged backgrounds. It gives me immense pleasure to see the various constituents of the University working towards this goal and attaining it progressively.
6. It is a matter of satisfaction that the University is proactively implementing the recommendations of the NEP 2020. It has implemented the Multiple-Entry Multiple-Exit System (MEES), four-year undergraduate programmes with fourth year devoted to research, and the Academic Bank of Credits. The University has established the Centre for Research and Archiving in Indian and Indigenous Language and Knowledge System (CRA-IILKS) and, at the same time, it has also begun translation of reading materials in Hindi and developing an Awdharana Kosh for students.

7. Dear Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen,
   NEP 2020 has laid emphasis on integration of skill sets with liberal arts education.  To my mind, the University, should play a leadership role in this direction, in the future.  With more than a million Indians projected to enter the working age group, each month, for the next decade and a half, you have a crucial role to play, in building, capacity as well as competency. I am sure that the Vice-Chancellor and the Faculty of this University are taking all necessary steps in this direction.

8. The University’s teacher education plans are in consonance with the NEP.  It is expected that University would play a pioneering role in the preparation of excellent quality teachers and teacher educators, who will work towards transforming education in Delhi NCR.
9. I would take the opportunity to congratulate the Vice-Chancellor for taking the decision to join CUET for UG & PG Admissions. AUD, is now the first State University to have carried out admissions in this cycle, through the CUET recommended by the NEP.I look forward to continued efforts by the University, to emerge as a Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERU), that caters to the students of Delhi NCR and beyond.
10. Expansion always brings with it the challenges of quality assurance and equity for educational institutions. The University also needs to develop, immediate and innovative ways of moving to the top of the rankings and accreditation, in higher education, nationally as well as globally. In this direction, I am told, that the University has been planning to integrate elements of STEM with Social Sciences. At the same time, I hope the University will handhold the institutions focussed on science and technology, in Delhi, to meaningfully incorporate elements of Social Sciences. This will be a unique experiment and the people of Delhi will benefit from its outcomes.

11. Friends,
    There are challenges and issues, such as those relating to environment, public health, and education, that the City of Delhi constantly faces. The University must work towards strengthening research in these areas. I would encourage the University to forge collaborations with national and international organisations, and develop strategies that would help shape public policy, for the betterment of Delhi. The future of higher education will be much different from what it is today – it will be hybrid, internationalized, and competitive. AUD will need to prepare itself to embrace this future in terms of teaching, research, administration, and rankings.

12. In all these processes, I hope that the graduating students, and the larger alumni fraternity of the University, will support the institution magnanimously, in charting its future trajectory.
13. The youth of today is the future of tomorrow.  It is my considered opinion that the strength of a nation is reflected by its youth.  Dear Students, as a nation, we are yet to overcome malnutrition, poverty, unemployment and many other social evils, and these remain the biggest hurdles in our path to glory.  I exhort the young minds present here, to employ their knowledge and skills in assisting the country, overcome these challenges.  You are the inheritors of a great University, a great tradition and a nation unfolding.  It is your duty to leave a legacy and history behind.  It is you who must ensure that the benefits of efforts undertaken by the governments, reach the society at large, and the common Indian in particular.
14. In this light, I look forward to seeing a vibrant, compassionate and responsive student and alumni community in the near future. A community equipped with skills for self-development, so that they become productive social assets.
15. Dear Friends,
    Towards the end, I wish once again, congratulate all the graduating students and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

Jai Hind !