Manipal: “India has demonstrated its rank in the world in education by successfully launching a rocket to the Mars” said the Sri Lankan prime minister D M Jayaratne said on Saturday November 8 during the 19th convocation address of the Manipal University here.
He added Education is the key ingredient in character building and socio-economic transformation, which can empower the huge human capital to be a major constructive force to drive the economy.
The Lankan prime minister said that in the 21st century, high quality higher education has the potential to find reasonable solutions for the common problems that the world is facing today and working towards it constructively.
He wished the students and said, “now you all have become valuable gems to shine in the society, it is time to begin another journey, to your academic excellence you are ready to face and contribute to the world however learning will never end’.
He called up on the students to be responsible citizens and do duty with moral dimension. He said, “If work is not guided by morality and ethics, success will not be authentic. Do not accept corruption as a way of life. Stick to your principles and have faith in the strength of willpower and determination.”
It should be our collective efforts to progressively move towards making the world better place. Each one regardless from where they belong can meaningfully contribute to this objective.
While lauding the University he said apart from catering to needs of modern education for a large number of students worldwide including Sri Lanka, the institution has several features that are considered very important.
Actions taken by University for maintaining discipline, Environment protection, Research activities, respect for cultural values, and high quality higher education are some of the key features that are commendable and impressive, he added.
In the two-day convocation, 1780 undergraduate and post graduate students received their degrees. Almost a similar number will receive it on Sunday. Fifteen gold medalists and 33 PhD scholars were also awarded on the occasion.
