Chennai: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu expressed concern over employability of Indian graduates, saying constant reforms in higher education system, among other initiatives, would address the issue. Addressing graduates at the ninth convocation of Vel’s University here Tuesday, Venkaiah emphasised that higher education is essential for development of scientific temper, even as he urged teachers to equip themselves with latest developments.
“Though we have increased the number of higher education institutions, the quality of education remains a major concern,” he said. “Various studies and surveys have raised concern over the learning outcome and employability of Indian graduates. These issues should be addressed by constantly reforming the system and ensuring that the higher education institutions delivered high-quality education,” the Vice-President said.
Referring to the Right to Education that mandates the State to provide education to children from age six to 14, he said higher education is equally essential to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform. “This is envisaged in the fundamental duties. Therefore, quality higher education is necessary for the progress and development of our country,” he said.
He further said, “We are in midst of the fourth industrial revolution. The technology is changing exponentially. You, as innovator, entrepreneur and global professional, will be required to outpace this change.”
As many as 1,766 graduates, 68 Ph D scholars, 145 M Phil scholars, 363 post-graduates of Vel’s Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies received their degrees in the convocation ceremony. Vel’s University Chancellor Ishari K Ganesh, Vice-Chancellor P Swaminathan, Pro-Chancellor (Academics) Arthi Ganesh, Indian Security Research and Development Secretary G Satheesh Reddy, industrialist S Xavier Britto, athletic coach P T Usha, members of the board of management and academic council of Vel’s University participated.