By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the convocation of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati through video-conferencing today. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal also attended the event. During this time Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I believe clearly that the future of a nation is what the youth of today think.Prime Minister Modi quoted it as saying “”ज्ञानम् विज्ञान सहितम् यत्ज्ञानस्तेवा मोक्षसे अशुभात् ” ” .

The Prime Minister elaborated that all knowledge, including science, is a tool to solve problems. Your dreams will shape the reality of India. So it is time to prepare for the future. It is now time to fit into the future. I am well aware of how difficult it has been to complete the academic session, to continue the research during this epidemic. But still you have achieved this success. I congratulate you for your contribution towards making the country self-reliant for this effort. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the students said that the future of a nation is what the youth of today think. Your dreams are about to shape the reality of India. It is time to prepare for the future. He said, the aim of National Education Policy (NEP) is to open camps of foreign universities in the country.I am well aware of how difficult it has been to conduct academic sessions, continue research work during this epidemic.

But still you achieved this success. For your efforts, I congratulate you for your contribution towards making the country self-reliant. Prime Minister Modi said that the National Education Policy has been made multi-disciplinary. The subjects are given flexibility.There have been many entry-exit opportunities. The National Education Policy will link education with technology, that is, students will also be taught about technology and will also be taught through technology.

A National Research Foundation has also been proposed in NEP to enrich the research culture in the country. NRF research funding will be coordinated with all funding agencies and funding will be provided for all disciplines, be it science or humanities.I am happy that today, around 300 of our young fellows are being given PhD degrees in this convocation and this is a very positive trend. I am sure that all of you will not stop here, but research will become a habit for you. It will remain part of your thinking process. NEP talks of opening up the education sector of the country. The aim is to open campuses of foreign universities in the country and our students should get global exposure here.Research partnerships and exchange programs between Indian and global institutions will be promoted. This region of the Northeast is also the center of India’s Act East Policy.

This region is also the gateway to India’s relation with South East Asia. Culture, trade, engagement and potential have been the mainstay of relations with these countries. Prime Minister Modi said that now education is also going to be another new medium. I will also request IIT Guwahati to establish a ‘Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction’.This center will also provide the area with the expertise to deal with disasters and turn disasters into opportunities.

Modi further added, “A National Research Foundation has also been proposed in NEP to promote research culture in the country. NRF will coordinate with all funding agencies regarding research funding and all disciplines, whether it is science or humanities Be the fund.The Prime Minister said that the National Education Policy 2020 is for the needs of the 21st century and to make India a global leader in science and technology. Mr. Modi said that NEP 2020 has been made multi-disciplinary and offers the flexibility of choosing different courses and allows multiple entry and exit points.