SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SHRIMATI PRATIBHA DEVISINGH PATIL AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE HEALTH CENTRE AND COMMUNITY RADIO FACILITY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

Mumbai, 29th February 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to participate in a function at the University of Mumbai, one of the oldest Universities of India, which has a glorious record of achievements and has made phenomenal contributions to higher education and national development. The University has produced a galaxy of distinguished alumni who have invigorated every walk of life - be it Science and Technology, law and social reform, art and literature or sports and administration. Last year, the University had celebrated its 150th anniversary and in this connection held a series of events and launched several initiatives. The Health Centre and the Radio Facility were amongst the projects taken to improve the infrastructure of the University. Today, I have great pleasure to inaugurate both these facilities at the University of Mumbai.

The Health Centre would be useful in providing health support for students, teachers and non-teaching employees. The University could also consider extending the Health Centre facilities to the community living in the vicinity as a part of its "social responsibility". I understand that the Radio Facility would be catering to almost one million listeners. It is an opportunity to promote the creativity of students. It should take up issues of relevance to students like career guidance, knowledge-based programmes, promoting language skills and dissemination of information about various University initiatives. In addition, it should reach out to the neighbouring localities and address issues like eradication of social evils, alcoholism and drug-addiction, among others. These are social evils that cause great financial difficulties for families, many a times wrecking them and the country too suffers economically when productive individuals are unable to contribute their full potential to nation building.

Visiting universities, reminds me of what Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru used to say, "Universities are temples of learning and if universities are doing well the nation is doing well". Such was the importance attached by Panditji to the role of Universities that he was willing to measure the progress and prosperity of the nation on the basis of their performance. The role of Universities in today's knowledge based and technology driven world has immensely increased. The country's requirement for well-educated and well-trained personnel is greater than before.

The Indian higher education system has created a talented human capital that has served India, in various capacities and in different fields, and at all stages of our national life, from Independence to the 21st century when we have emerged as one of the fastest growing economies and a leader of IT in the world. We are producing the second largest number of engineers, capable management experts, IT leaders and space scientists. The success of the Green Revolution, the White Revolution and now the ICT revolution are a testimony to the achievements of the higher education system in the country. However, we still need to bridge the digital divide existing in the country, work to bring in the Second Green Revolution to enhance agricultural productivity, look at energy efficient ways of production and work for better health for all.

The 11th Five Year Plan is devoted to 'inclusive growth' and has given larger focus and financial allocation to higher education. It has appropriately identified, in the context of education, the triple objectives of expansion, inclusion and excellence. The education system as a whole and every constituent unit - that is every school, every college and every university must focus on how these three objectives can be achieved.

India's young demographic profile gives us an advantage in terms of manpower availability, but talent supply shortages have begun to emerge. At present, we produce around 5000 PhDs annually in science and about 800 PhDs in engineering. To continue to be a serious player as a knowledge-based economic power, it is estimated that five times the number of PhDs would be required. Moreover, we have to ensure that their quality and caliber is of the highest level. This is the scale of the challenge we face. Here, the work of the National Skill Development Mission to address the skill deficiency in some sectors of our economy could be very helpful.

It is encouraging that in the 11th Plan period it is envisaged that 370 new colleges in educationally backward districts and 30 new Central Universities will be set up. In addition, new Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Management, and Indian Institutes of Information Technology are to be set up. These are important measures which must be implemented with a sense of urgency.

As we expand our educational infrastructure, we must also pay attention to ensuring equitable access to education, particularly to the disadvantaged. Taking special measures for enhancing and providing educational opportunities, including giving fellowships and scholarships are very important. Options for giving easy loans to students for pursuing higher education must be encouraged. The growing banking sector should be forthcoming in having special "credit for student" schemes. This would be their investment in the most valuable resource - the future human capital of the country.

There is also need to spread the higher education network to backward areas, rural areas and remote areas. The launch of EDUSAT, the exclusive satellite for education, has opened new possibilities for distant education and developing networks amongst universities for exchange of academic knowledge. Universities like Mumbai should take extra efforts in creating these networks, particularly with institutions located in rural areas that may not be as well equipped and assist them through the sharing of knowledge.

Education should empower the youth with skills and knowledge that give them access to productive employment in the future. Providing employable skills and vocational training is very important. This aspect also needs to be looked into as part of our comprehensive educational efforts.

Promoting excellence in the education system will mean the creation of world-class educational institutions. Fully trained and highly qualified teaching staff with special skill sets for imparting knowledge is necessary. Issues relating to teaching, methodology, syllabi and also inadequate facilities for research need to be addressed. Syllabi, particularly of Science and Technology, must be updated constantly to ensure that the latest advances are covered. I hope that every educational institution in the country will work with the spirit to excel and produce the finest students.

Education should produce holistic citizens who are sensitive and have a commitment to civic obligations. Building a caring society should be the ultimate objective of higher education. Teachers should instill moral, ethical and cultural values in their students, while they impart them knowledge. These values will provide the moorings required by every individual while going through the journey of life.

I conclude by recalling an adage that, "education is light and the lack of it is darkness". I am sure that the University of Mumbai will continue with its tradition of years of service to the cause of education and spreading awareness.

Thank You.