DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday called upon the academicians to play a proactive role for ensuring the empowerment of common man by imparting quality education to the students.

"All the academicians sitting under this roof are achievers by virtue of their hard work, dedication and sincerity but the onus of producing more gems like you lies solely on your shoulders", said the Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering during a conference of the Vice Chancellors here at the Punjab Raj Bhawan.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has 40 universities and it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the Vice Chancellors of these Universities have converged here at this conference.

He lauded the Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria for holding this conference which will go a long way in further improving the standard of higher education in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to giving impetus to higher education in Punjab for which no stone is being left unturned.

The Chief Minister said that the state has two big universities in the state which are having more than 40 thousand students. He said that unfortunately due to the regressive policies of the previous governments the number of students from the state were less in these universities.

However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to the efforts being made by the state government, the trend to go abroad has been reversed and now a surge has been witnessed in the colleges and universities of state for admissions.

The Chief Minister said that the educational institutions in the state are equipped with world class infrastructure adding that 43 Government colleges of Punjab have been accredited with NAAC and three colleges got A Grade. He said that the state government has already laid major thrust on Career Guidance within the school system. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Business blaster scheme is already working well in the schools of the state to produce Business leaders of the future.

The Chief Minister and the state government have updated libraries with AC facilities with internet as well as syllabus and other books. Asserting that the Vice Chancellor of PAU is a renowned expert of tissue culture globally, he said that instead of political affiliations, now ace academicians are being appointed as the heads of Universities. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the sole aim is to boost the studies in colleges and universities so that students are immensely benefited by it. .

The Chief Minister said that the state government is mulling to introduce Artificial Intelligence in four departments Agriculture, Education, Finance and Policing for better results.

He said that the state government has already introduced AI in the measurement of roads for repair and the results were surprising. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it was established that a network of around four thousand kilometres of roads was already on paper.

The Chief Minister said that every technology has Pros and Cons but the universities should promote AI based education.

He said that the main thrust should be laid to judge the students on their ability rather than their grades. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjab is the only state across the globe which has its franchise all over the world as Punjabis dominate the affairs in every other country.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis are blessed with an indomitable spirit to work hard and excel due to which they had carved a niche for themselves in the world. He said that it is a matter of great pride for all of us that five percent engineers in Boeing are from GNE, Ludhiana, adding that CEOs of Flipkart, Ola, Mastercard and others are also Punjabis. Underlining the need for skill development, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that perfect balance should be maintained between Practical and theoretical knowledge.

The Chief mInister further said that these students are blessed with enormous capabilities and capacities.

He said that the state government is making concerted efforts to channelise their unbounded energy and make them partners in social-economic growth of the country. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the day is not far when these youngsters will script a new success story for the country.

The Chief Minister said that these youngsters possess inherent qualities to excel in every field. He said that these students are planes and the state government will provide them Launchpad to go ahead in life. Bhagwant Singh Mann unequivocally said that he won't rest until the students of Punjab don't achieve their desired goals.

Meanwhile, in his address Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria concluded the NEP Conference with a Vision to Make Punjab a National Leader in Education. In his remarks, the Governor expressed his delight at the conference's success, applauding the Chief Minister for his active participation and practical insights and acknowledging the Education Minister for contributing his learned experience. Highlighting Punjab's robust educational infrastructure, the Governor emphasized that the state has the potential to lead the nation in education.
(editor@dailyworld.in)