Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Wednesday urged students to develop skills for Viksit Bharat and contribute to nation-building through discipline and service. Shukla, who is Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, said students should look beyond acquiring academic degrees. He called on them to develop skills and a sense of responsibility.
The Governor addressed the university’s 27th convocation at Bhavanam Venkatram Auditorium in Hyderabad. He said receiving a degree did not mark the end of education. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new phase of responsible life.
Shukla appreciated BRAOU’s 45-year journey and its efforts to provide higher education to more than 25 lakh learners. He said open universities had played a crucial role in extending education to rural, remote and disadvantaged communities.
Shukla stresses skills for Viksit Bharat
The Governor stressed continuous skilling, reskilling and upskilling as technology continued to change rapidly. He said educational institutions should produce innovators, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs rather than focus only on creating job seekers.
Shukla cited Hyderabad’s emergence as a major centre for information technology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and start-ups. He said students needed relevant abilities to respond to such changing opportunities.
The Governor said developing skills for Viksit Bharat required students to combine education with discipline, innovation and service. He also urged students and society to work collectively to keep young people away from drugs. He warned that bad company and temporary attractions could damage young lives.
Shukla called for efforts against drug abuse to begin at the family level. BRAOU conferred degrees, postgraduate degrees, diplomas and certificates on 36,145 students during the convocation.
Among them, 38 students received gold medals. The university also awarded Ph.Ds to 23 research scholars, while one scholar received an M.Phil. In an initiative to expand access to education, 27 prisoners also received degrees. They included 26 men and one woman from Cherlapally, Rajamahendravaram and Kadapa Central Jails.
Renowned filmmaker, writer and actor B. Narsing Rao received an Honorary Doctorate for his contribution to the film industry and society. BRAOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ghanta Chakrapani attended the programme. Former NAAC Director and former BRAOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. V.S. Prasad was also present.
B. Narsing Rao, government officials, university vice-chancellors and academic representatives also attended the convocation. The Governor maintained that education should equip students with skills for Viksit Bharat while preparing them to contribute responsibly to society.