GUWAHATI, Oct 15 - Vice Chancellor of the Gauhati University, Dr Mridul Hazarika, today inaugurated the seventh �National Conference on Education� organised by the Don Bosco Institute at its campus.
The theme of the conference was �Impact of Social Media on Education.�
In his inaugural address, Dr Hazarika said that one needs to learn from young people because they are well connected to social media and quite a knowledgeable lot. He also stressed the need for proper use of social media in view of its growing importance.
�Social media has penetrated the lives of the people and has reached out to the people in an unprecedented manner. Today we live in the world of technology and it has reduced distance and space. Everyone is logged on to the internet and the media,� he said.
The Vice Chancellor added that human values, however, should not be neglected while allowing media to take the upper hand in the lives of the individual.
Dr Hazarika said that in the age of media, people have become individualistic and are losing their concern about people in society. �One has to get out of the individualistic attitude and embrace everyone. We should create comfort zones not for ourselves, but for others,� he said.
The Salesian Provincial of Guwahati, Rev Fr VM Thomas, in his speech referred to the fast-changing world and said that young people are changing along with it.
�Today�s media world poses challenges to educationists to keep track with the changing scenario,� he said and urged the participants to take active part in learning new things and to use them in empowering the students in the classrooms.
�Teachers who are unwilling to use technology must change,� he added.
Rev Fr Johnson Parackal, the director, welcomed and felicitated the chief guest and the participants.
