MSU convocation

VADODARA, Dec 21: One hundred and twenty-four students received gold medals for various branches of study at M S University's 47th annual...

VADODARA, Dec 21: One hundred and twenty-four students received gold medals for various branches of study at M S University8217;s 47th annual convocation in the Shamiana Grounds on Monday. The Chancellor8217;s Award went to Shailu Shelat, who received four other medals as well.

Delivering the convocation address, the chief guest, Central Vigilance Commissioner N Vittal said, 8220;Youth is associated with idealism and optimism; hence nothing is impossible for the youth.8221;

Congratulating students who had completed their graduation and received their degrees, Vittal said they should consider themselves lucky to be beginning their careers with the new millennium.

8220;Development is now measured in terms of the sophistication of information technology8221;, Vittal said. 8220;Our country is no way backward, nor are we short of resources. The problem lies with the system.

8220;Instead of considering the 950 million-strong population as a brain bank, we look upon it as a problem.8221;

The fact that Indians generally did well in other countries was proof of their potential, Vittal said. Citing the instance of MSU alumnus Sam Pitroda, he added, however, 8220;While the university is proud to have conferred degrees on such people, the country has been able to exploit very little of their talent.8221;

Moving on to the strides made in the IT sector, the CVC said it could spell only good news for graduates, since it implied the creation of more jobs.

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8220;The process of learning does not end when one steps out of the portals of the university8221;, he said. 8220;With facilities like distance learning, universities are making learning a continuous process.8221;

Expressing hope that MSU8217;s new graduates would help the country tackle illiteracy, Vittal said that just as every letter could be a mantra and every plant had a medicinal value, so no person was born incompetent.

8220;Every person has the power to become a visionary. The only thing that matters is the optimum utilisation of resources, whether mental or physical8221;, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, MS Univaersity Vice-Chancellor Anil Kane said the new graduates should regard the convocation as a platform that would allow their fledgling careers to soar.