THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

• His Excellency Dr. Mohd. Irfaan Ali, Hon’ble President of Cooperative Republic of Guyana,
• Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor of GGSIP University,
• Officers of Ministry of External Affairs,
• Officers of Government of Delhi,
• Deans/ Directors and the faculty of the University and Dear students.

1. It is a proud moment for us to welcome His Excellency Dr. Mohd. Irfaan Ali amongst us and confer upon him the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies, Honoris Causa.

2. Your Excellency, you are a man of letters and already hold degrees in multiple disciplines, that include Urban Planning, Finance, Management, Manpower Planning and International Business, to name a few. The University is speciallyhonoured to confer a Doctorate on you, on account of the fact that you have also been an alumnus of this University, having studied Human Resource Planning and Development from one of our institutes.

3. Your Excellency,

   What makes this day, all the more special is the fact that today is the birth anniversary of the great philosopher, author, spiritual teacher and visionary, Swami Vivekanand.  I take this opportunity to pay my homage and tributes to this great son of India, whose birth anniversary we celebrate as, “National Youth Day”. 

   Dear Students, Ladies & Gentlemen,

4. Professionally His Excellency, President Dr.  Ali is widely experienced. He has served as a Project Manager of the Caribbean Development Bank’s Project Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Finance of his Government, and Senior Planner in the State Planning Secretariat, apart from being a Member of the Canadian Institute of Management.  He became a Member of the National Assembly of Guyana in 2006 and subsequently served as Minister of Housing & Water and Minister of Tourism Industry & Commerce.  He served as Chair of one of the most important committees, the Public Accounts Committee and Co-Chaired the Economic Services Committee of the Parliament of Guyana.

5. As the Chancellor of the GGSIP University, I reiterate our pride in the fact, that one of our alumnus is holding the highest office of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

6. Your Excellency, you represent a country that has more than special ties with the Republic of India.  You represent a people whose blood and sweat went into shaping modern Guyana.  Even as you represent your people, you are also a distinguished inheritor of the vibrant and diverse civilizational ethos of India.  The relationship between our people is indeed that of siblings.  

7. Your Excellency, you may be aware that GGSIP University, which was amongst your alma mater, is a multi-disciplinary institution, where we are teaching a variety of disciplines ranging from Engineering, Medicine, Environment Sciences, Management and Law to Liberal Arts. 

8. Great emphasis is laid on a holistic approach to education, which is in tandem with the industry requirements. Partnership with Industries ensures a professional hands-on approach. I am happy to inform you that this University is fully equipped to implement the mandate of India’s new National Education Policy, that has sought to democratize and globalize Indian education like never before. To this effect, this University, also has a full-fledged Directorate of International Affairs.

9. As an alumnus of the University, we look upon you as our Brand Ambassador and request you, Hon’ble President to take upon the responsibility of spreading the good word about the GGSIP University and the Indian Education System.

10. The Indian Education System has arrived and is ready to play an important role on the global stage. We are opening our doors to foreign universities, for them to set up their campuses in India. This will generate competition and only the fittest will survive. It is both a challenge and an opportunity, if captured right, it can catapult Indian universities to the global stage.

11. I take this opportunity to urge the Deans and the faculty to be competition ready and put their best foot forward.  We aim to excel, in all areas-teaching, research, adoption of   new technologies, new courses and new methodologies so that the students here are imparted the latest knowledge through latest techniques and are groomed to face the world, as better citizens, successful entrepreneurs and successful employees.

12. Your Excellency, GGSIP University is completing 25 years of its existence and is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. Indeed, this would be a befitting occasion for me to urge youto encourage and ensure inter-University linkages between GGSIPU and the Universities or institutions in Guyana.  I would also like to exhort our Deans and faculty to augment the public outreach during this silver jubilee year so that the whole community around us benefits. I am happy to inform you that the University has also prepared the strategy for next 25 years through Vision document GGSIPU@2047.

13. This happens to be the year of India’s Presidency of G20 countries and I am aware that the GGSIP University has made a calendar of activities in this Silver Jubilee year to celebrate both the historic events.  I urge the entire University, its faculty and students to participate wholeheartedly in the various events, so that the spirit of G20 pervades throughout the year.

14. As I conclude, I thank you, Your Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali to give us this opportunity to bestow you with this Honorary Degree.  You will remain an inspiration for all our students - a motivational force, that will encourage them to aspire to hold any big office. You are an embodiment of the fact that knowledge, hard work, determination and passion can make any dream come true, and you would always remain an example for students of this University, as indeed millions of Indians beyond.  Swami Vivekanand had said, and I quote, “True guidance is like a small torch in a dark forest, it does not show everything at once.  But gives enough light for the next step to be safe.”

15. My sincere and heartfelt felicitations to you Excellency, I am sure that you will be that light to our students and beyond. 

Long live Indo-Guyana friendship.

Jai Hind !