Chennai, Aug 18:
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Monday said the recently passed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill would strengthen the integrity of public examinations and protect students from unfair practices.
Addressing the convocation of Central University of Tamil Nadu in Tiruvarur, Radhakrishnan said strict measures were essential to safeguard the fairness of examinations. Recalling his tenure as Jharkhand Governor, he said a similar legislation was passed in the state during his tenure and he had signed it immediately.
“Bad elements in society must be punished to protect the interests of good people,” he said.
Radhakrishnan said the expansion of higher education over the past 12 years had resulted in more women graduating and winning medals than men. Education, he said, should go beyond examinations and marks and equip students with independent thinking, communication, teamwork and lifelong learning skills.
Praising the Central University of Tamil Nadu for its focus on multidisciplinary education, research, innovation and value-based learning, he urged graduates to become creators rather than consumers of knowledge and innovators rather than imitators.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he urged young people to put the nation first and use their knowledge, skills and leadership for national development.
He also called upon police and security agencies to take stringent action against drug peddlers, warning that drug abuse damages individuals, families and society. Urging students to “Say No to Drugs”, he asked them to encourage their peers to stay away from substance abuse.
As many as 1,103 graduates received their degrees, including 50 gold medallists. Women accounted for 616 graduates and secured 37 of the 50 gold medals.
Later, Radhakrishnan attended the Ruby and Silver Jubilee valedictory celebrations of SASTRA University in Thanjavur, where he praised the institution’s contribution to national development.
He described the National Education Policy 2020 as a guiding pillar for education from KG to PhD. He highlighted initiatives including the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship, PM-Vidyalaxmi and the Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit system.
Radhakrishnan expressed confidence that India’s higher education Gross Enrolment Ratio would rise from the current 30 per cent to the target of 50 per cent by 2035.