Edu-leaders

Universities should play a key role in the skill development and capacity building of today’s youth who will aid the nation-building process, said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the convocation ceremony of the Central University of Orissa (CUO).

The governor of Orissa M.C. Bhandare and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik were also present at the occasion.

The CUO was started in Koraput in 2009.

The minister also launched the university’s School of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources which is in partnership with the Swaminathan Foundation. He said for the benefit of people, universities should take such initiatives for research and seek help from private universities for this.

He said about 672 million people in our country who are in the age group between 15-59 years, should come forward for the development of the nation.

According to reports, Mukherjee said that the university will go a long-way in strengthening the academic activities in Orissa, especially in the Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi KBK region where facilities for higher education remain underdeveloped.

Patnaik said that the Orissa has achieved a growth rate of 9 per cent and in order to maintain this, the state needs trained manpower.

He also appreciated the centre for tribal welfare and community development programme of the university and said that it could help the students in the district achieve their goals.