GUWAHATI, Nov 20 � Knowledge loses its purpose unless it is connected with the people, said Governor JB Patnaik, while addressing the 12th convocation of Tezpur University. Patnaik, who is also the Chancellor of the university, appreciated the university�s action of adoption of a village.
Tezpur University is a product of the Assam Accord and was set up to generate knowledge and manpower for the nation-building process, he said.
Patnaik said education gives one the knowledge to liberate from the bondage of poverty, ignorance and squalor. He stressed extending the reach of education to the primary level of society and to make it available to the masses.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said whenever he visited Tezpur University, it reminded him of the contribution of former Prime Minister the late Rajiv Gandhi. �Even today, many states do not have a single university, not to speak of two central universities. I had all along persuaded the late Gandhi to set up the Tezpur University. Today, I am happy to see the university making invaluable contributions towards the growth of education in our country.�
The Chief Minister exhorted the youths to find solutions to man-elephant conflicts, climate change taking place across the world, flood and erosion problems through the expertise they have gained from their alma mater.
Gogoi said the institutions of higher learning have to induce innovative ideas into the young minds. He said through education, the country can forge ahead on all fronts. He said good institutions are coming up in the State and this augurs well for the State. However, he emphasised active involvement of the public sector in bringing about a sea change in education.
Union Minister of State (independent), Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal said Tezpur University has made big strides ever since it was born out of the historic Assam Accord. He assured the university authorities that he would take up the matter regarding opening up a campus of Tezpur University at Jonai.
Earlier, in his address, Vice-Chancellor of Tezpur University Prof MK Chaudhuri said the university imparts holistic training to equip the students with the sense of responsibilities towards their parents, society and the nation.
Awards, degrees and diplomas from B Tech to Ph D were given away to 1,511 students for the years 2013 and 2014.
