Indian universities are seeing a significant improvement in their international standing due to futuristic policies and decisions in the education sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, noting that there are now 45 Indian universities in the QS World University Rankings, a sharp growth from just 12 in 2014.
Speaking at the valedictory event of Delhi University’s (DU) year-long centenary celebrations, the PM credited India’s youth for transcending the concept of education being limited to placement and degrees by filing more patents and establishing startups. “The third decade of the last century [when DU was founded] gave new momentum to the struggle for India’s independence. Now the third decade of the new century will give impetus to the development journey of India. The large number of upcoming universities, colleges, IITs, IIMs and AIIMS are becoming the building blocks of new India,” Mr. Modi said.
Development goals
Over the last 100 years, DU has not only kept its emotions alive but kept its values vibrant as well, the Prime Minister said. “The goal of DU was India’s independence when it began, but now that the institution will complete 125 years when India reaches 100 years of independence, the goal of Delhi University should be to make India a Viksit Bharat [Developed India],” he said.
Underscoring the importance of knowledge, the Prime Minister noted that when India had vibrant universities like Nalanda and Takshila, it was at the peak of prosperity. However, continuous attacks during the period of slavery destroyed these institutions, leading to an obstruction of the intellectual flow of India and bringing growth to standstill, he said. “After Independence, universities played a crucial role in giving concrete shape to the emotional swell of post-independence India by creating a strong generation of talented youngsters. Delhi University too played a major part in that,” Mr. Modi said.
New choices, opportunities
Talking about the flexibility that the new National Education Policy gives students with regard to selecting subjects, Mr. Modi said that education was not merely a process of teaching but also a way of learning. After a long time, the focus is shifting to what a student wants to learn, he said.
During his recent U.S. visit, Mr. Modi signed a deal to begin the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology or iCET, which he said would create new opportunities for the youth of India in various sectors ranging from AI to semiconductors and enable access to technologies which were once beyond their reach. “Companies like Micron, Google, Applied Materials etc. have decided to invest in India and it provides a glimpse of the bright future for the youth,” he said.
The Prime Minister asked DU to prepare a roadmap in such a way that that when it celebrates 125 years, it should figure among the top-ranking universities in the world. “Future-making innovations should be done here, world’s best ideas and leaders should emerge from here. For this, you will have to work continuously,” Mr. Modi said.
PTI adds:
During the event, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of the Delhi University Computer Centre, buildings of the Faculty of Technology and of the Academic Block on the North Campus of the university.
The University of Delhi was established on May 1, 1922. Since then, it has grown and expanded immensely and now has 86 departments, 90 colleges, and more than 6 lakh students.
PM travel in Metro amid tight security
Earlier, a three-tire security was put in place with the deployment of more than 1,000 paramilitary and police personnel for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Delhi University on Friday to attend the closing ceremony of its centenary celebration, police officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, June 30, 2023 travelled on the Metro to attend an event at Delhi University. Officials shared pictures of Mr. Modi travelling in a metro train, sitting with commuters and interacting with them.
According to university officials, Mr. Modi laid the foundation stone of three buildings and release a set of coffee table books.
These buildings with state-of-the-art infrastructure would be for the faculty of technology, computer centre and academic block, they said.
Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan was the guest of honour for the event.
Delhi University has introduced B. Tech programmes from the upcoming academic session with a capacity of 360 students. The building for the faculty of technology will cater to them.
