State governor and Assam Women’s University (AWU) chancellor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on Tuesday asked the university authorities to introduce skill-based courses to boost the employability of the students.
Addressing the first convocation of AWU as chief guest, Prof Mukhi said keeping in mind the present scenario in which women are equally contributing to the economic growth, the university should concentrate on introducing skill-based employment-oriented courses.
“I believe that without economic independence women’s empowerment would be impossible,” the Assam governor said.
It may be mentioned that AWU is under the directorate of technical education but several postgraduate programmes in the university are not technical-based.
Also read: Assam Women’s University all set to hold its first convocation
Prof Mukhi further said the AWU should not be like other universities of the state and instead it should be a specialized university for women.
“Maintain the quality of research and education along with incorporating only-women-centric academic courses. The university should also see how other women universities across the country are working,” Mukhi stated.
Pointing out that the increasing number of women had become “potential voices” in the local, national and international issues the Assam governor said women had made their presence felt in humanitarian action, resilience-building and in the protection of human rights.
Mukhi told the students that apart from academic excellence, they would be judged on how best they could serve the society.
Recently, the state government by amending the Act, according to which the AWU was established in 2013, the governor was made the chancellor replacing the chief minister.
Attended the very first convocation of Assam Women's University. My heartfelt wishes to all of you, specially the degree holders for their well deserved attainments. Apart from your academic excellence, your contribution will be judged on how best you can serve the society. pic.twitter.com/paTkBQdKqS
— Prof.Jagdish Mukhi (@jagdishmukhi) February 25, 2020
Earlier, delivering the welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr Malinee Goswami, gave an outline of the progress of the institute which started functioning from 2014.
The university was started with four batches of students who passed out from the university since 2016.
She said at AWU currently has 15 departments.
There are 16 programmes of contemporary knowledge and skills.
Dr Goswami said 13 programmes are postgraduate programmes, two undergraduate programmes and one is diploma programme.
AWU is the only government university in the Northeast offering degree in physiotherapy.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university has decided to open MPhil and PhD programmes in selected subjects from the next academic session.
Out of a total of 580 students, who have passed out of AWU, 497 applied for their certificates.