Venkaiah Naidu stresses need for skill-based education at St. Francis graduation ceremony

Nature and culture together will ensure your bright future, former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu told students at St. Francis College for Women, Begumpet, here at their 45th graduation ceremony.

Describing the day as ‘a celebration of women’s educational empowerment’, he urged the young graduates to become torchbearers of India’s heritage and promise, and to understand the celebration of the journey as not merely academic but also moral and cultural.

He called on the students to preserve their mother tongue as a pillar of identity and to root themselves in India’s rich civilisational legacy even as they adopt modern tools. Mr. Naidu highlighted the country’s past as a Vishwaguru and said that the ‘powerful convergence of ancient wisdom and modern technology’ can propel the nation to global educational leadership.

Students of St. Francis College for Women celebrating the 45th Graduation ceremony in Hyderabad on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
SIDDHANT THAKUR

While appreciating the students on the culmination of years of perseverance and the beginning of a new chapter in their life, he also praised the college’s trajectory. From just 15 students at its founding to its current strength of over 3,400 as evidence of persistent growth, he applauded faculty members and the non-teaching staff for their nurturing support.

Mr. Naidu stressed the need for skill-based education to make knowledge relevant to future demands, its relevance in a fast-changing world, and appreciated the college’s efforts to provide industry-ready education through collaborations and MoUs with foreign universities and industry leaders.

Director in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs Deepali Masirkar, an alumna of the college, evoked nostalgia and encouraged students to live with humility, purpose and persistence.

Controller of Examinations, Osmania University, K. Shashikanth emphasised India’s demand for innovators and entrepreneurs, and encouraged students to develop innovation, adaptability and critical thinking to thrive in the competitive environment.

Superintending Engineer, GHMC, Rama Devi Lanka pointing at gender bias and pay parity, and the many available resources and skills, encouraged the students to break barriers and seize opportunities. She explained the growing opportunities in research and entrepreneurship, and advised students to explore emerging fields such as semiconductors.

At the ceremony, a total of 981 students received their degrees and 58 students were awarded gold medals for their merit. Umaima Aijaz (Arts) bagged three golds, and Nampally Supriya and G. Varsha from Commerce, and B. Aswini (Science) bagged four golds each.

Principal T. Uma Joseph, management, staff and students were present.