HT Bureau
Guwahati, May 27: Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said that Cotton University emerged from the century old Cotton college must aim at transforming itself into a research intensive university with a focus on inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approach towards academics and research.
Addressing the students on the occasion of the 2nd convocation of the university at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra here on Friday, Prof. Mukhi said that in a heterogeneous and diversified society where problems are multidimensional, Cotton University must find out solutions to the problems through its research findings. He also said that at the present day, a university can earn its name by excelling itself in academic as well as research parlance.
The Governor further said, “The world is now full of competitions and our bright young students must strive for excellence to survive in this age of fierce competition. Therefore, they must excel themselves in academics as well in research to stay relevant in a society which is confronting new challenges on every new day”.
He further called upon the students of Cotton University to take lessons from its glorious past and should shoulder the responsibility of taking Assam forward with required sincerity, perseverance and a sense of commitment. He also exuded confidence that a vibrant institution like Cotton University would continue to attract the brilliant minds of the region. He also asked the students to look back to realise how Cotton College was created by its architects and how it contributed towards the growth and development of higher education in northeast India for over a long period.
Hailing the university which has around 31 departments, the Governor appreciated the university administration for introducing some innovative and important academic programmes in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Archaeology, Women’s Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Liberal Arts, and a special undergraduate programme for sports persons apart from other conventional courses. He also congratulated the university’s department of Physics which has recently started one mega ‘Accelerator Project’ with the necessary assistance and collaboration from some reputed research organisations. This 300- crore project will be the first of its kind in the entire country and will certainly add a feather to its cap, the Governor added.
Prof. Mukhi also said the fact that the university has joined hands with several institutions of repute like National Research Development Corporation, IIT-Guwahati, Tezpur University and Florida University, USA by signing MOUs for mutual benefits, is indeed a testimony of the university’s collaborative approach for giving the students exposure to new set of curriculum and the cutting edge technology.
He also lauded the university for being recognised as the best local chapter of the UGC Swayam National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning digital platform through which it has been providing online learning modules along with conventional curriculum. He further hoped like the bygone years, this university in the near future, will continue to attract the best job-givers from across the world.
The Governor also requested the students to take up professional responsibilities along with taking the responsibility of their family, society and country which have nurtured them in the most crucial phase of their life.
It may be noted that there were 1375 recipients of degrees and 57 gold medallists in the Convocation.
Minister of Education, Dr. Ranoj Pegu, vice chancellor, University of Hyderabad, Prof. B.J. Rao, vice chancellor, Cotton University, Prof. B. C. Goswami, registrar, faculty members and students of the university were present in the convocation.
