31.03.2012
Graduation Day Address
By
Honourable Shri E. Ahamed
Union Minister of State for Human Resource Department and External Affairs
Govt. of India
 
Dear  Chairperson of Aalim Muhammed Salegh College of Engineering Alhajiyani. M.S. Habibunnisa, Janaba S. A. Nasrin, Vice Chairperson, Janab S. Segu. Jamaludeen, Secretary and Correspondent, Janab K.S.M.B. Ahamed Yaseen, Joint Secretary, the Managing trustee Janab S. Hameed Samsudeen and Janab M.S. Sadaq Ali, the Principal of the College Prof.Dr.M.Afzal Ali Baig, Guests, Parents, press and Dear Graduates.
  
It is indeed a privilege and honour to be invited to deliver the 8th Graduation Day address of this College of Engineering. In a short span of 12 years, the college has shown a spectacular growth and can boast of a strength of about 2500 students with competent faculty to guide them. The vision of the Founder and Chairman late Alhaj.Dr.S.M.Sheik Nurddin to bring quality technical education to the youth of this state is indeed commendable.
  
Aristotle had said “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” and today is that sweet day for you. This day marks the end of an era. Years of books, plays, dances and sports have all led to this gratifying moment. As you the Graduation Class of 2011, sit here watching as the last of your college careers fade into twilight and awaiting what new adventure tomorrow will bring, it is important we share a moment to reflect and appreciate the enormity of your fine accomplishment.
  
Higher Education is a very important sector for the growth and development of human resource which can take responsibility for social, economic and scientific development of our country. The vision of higher education in India is to realize the country's human resource potential to its fullest with equity and inclusion. This essentially means the need to provide greater opportunities of access to higher education with equity to all eligible, and in particular, to the vulnerable sections of the society.
  
Indian higher education is poised for a historic transformation. Unprecedented levels of financial resources are being allocated for enabling this transformation. Transformation of higher education calls for systemic reforms, structural changes and above all innovative ways of thinking and envisioning higher educational policies. The purpose of this transformation in higher education would be to increase access to higher educational institutions and to prepare our youth to meet the human resource needs in every facet of our society and every sector of our economy.  An equally important objective is to facilitate our universities and other institutions to create new knowledge which, in tandem with the sectors of industry, agriculture and services, could be applied for ushering in rapid growth and development.  For this to happen, the quality of higher education has to occupy an important place in the agenda, alongside the need for ensuring equity.
 
We must all thank our Hon’ble Prime Minister for his effective intervention in bringing higher and technical education to the forefront of policy making, after a long period of neglect. All of us would agree that there is an urgent need to strengthen and revitalize existing institutions alongside creation of new capacities. Just as the State Governments and the Centre have a joint responsibility in transforming higher education, the academic community, whether in central institutions or in state universities and other institutions will be joint stakeholders in maintaining the standards and academic stature of institutions, so that the degree or other qualifications awarded by them are valued alongside the very best universities and institutions all over the world.
  
There has been phenomenal growth of higher education in India since independence. There were only 20 Universities and 500 Colleges at the time of independence. These number have increased by 28 times(i.e. 560) in the case of the Universities and 66 times (i.e. 33023) in the case of Colleges. Similarly, there has been tremendous growth in the enrollment also. At the beginning of Academic year 2011-12, the total number of students enrolled, in the formal system, in the Universities and Colleges has been reported to be 169.75 lakh. Similarly, there has also been growth in different programmes in Technical Education as such; during 2010-11 about 10364 Technical Programmes are running. There has also been growth in the intake in technical education and for the year 2010-11 the intake has been 19, 54,482, out of which 4, 04,375 were added in the year 2010-11 itself. The Open Distance Learning (ODL) system initially witnessed slower growth in respect of enrolment, however, the same has now gained momentum and during 2011-12, 55.18 lakh students got themselves enrolled in ODL system. Above, the statistical overview of the higher education system clearly shows that there has been phenomenal growth in Institutions (Universities, Colleges, Technical Institutions) as well as in intake, enrolment etc. since independence.
  
Allow me to share a brief account of the initiatives of the Central Government in higher education. Several institutions have been set up or are being set up – including 8 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 7 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), 10 National Institutes of Technology (NITs), 20 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), 16 Central Universities in hitherto uncovered States, 14 more Central Universities aiming at world class standards, three Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), and two Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs). Besides, assistance will be provided to set up 600 polytechnics, including 300 through the public-private partnership mode.
  
Several legislative initiatives have also been launched by the Ministry wherein reforms are undertaken by means of policy changes/executive order as well as legislative initiatives.  Presently, following legislative proposals for reforms in Higher Education  have been  initiated  which  are at various stage of finalization/consideration:- Establishment of the National Commission for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) through HE&R Bill  2011, The Educational Tribunals Bills, 2010, The Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Technical Education Institutions, Medical Educational Institutions, and Universities Bill, 2010, The National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill, 2010, The National Academic Depository  Bill, 2011, The Universities for Innovation and Research Bill, 2011, The Foreign Educational Institution (Regulation of Entry and Operation) Bill, 2010, Amendment to the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, Amendment to the Architects Act, 1972, National Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2010. etc.
  
Learning is a lifelong endeavour. Graduation is not the end of learning but a major transition from one mode of learning to another. It signifies the transition from assisted learning to self learning. Learning has to continue and self learning has to take place. This is a great freedom! and a big responsibility as well. I am sure all the graduates of this Institute are prepared to meet for this challenge.
  
My dear graduates use all your potentials, participate in country’s vision and make our country proud through your achievements. I wish you all the best for your future endeavours for the progress of our country.
 
Thank You
*********