It gives me immense pleasure to attend the 17th Convocation of Mizoram University today at Aizawl. Aizawl is the largest city and the capital of Mizoram. This beautiful City is situated on a ridge with the Tlawng river valley to its west and the Tuirial river valley to its east. Different Mizo communities live here in peaceful coexistence. This lively and bustling city is attractive beyond description.

First I would like to congratulate all the graduating students and winners of gold medals and prizes. I also congratulate the Fraternity of Mizoram University for organising this convocation and to have strived hard for emerging as one of the best institutions in the North-Eastern Region.

I am happy to note that Mizoram University, which started functioning in 2001, is today a prominent University in the North-Eastern Region providing quality education. The University has 39 academic departments spread under 10 schools and 41 affiliated UG colleges, Nursing, Medical and Para-medical colleges and District Institutes of Education and Training.

I am happy to learn that Mizoram University has two sprawling campuses at Tanhril and Pachhunga. The University has a diverse student community comprising of students from all over the country and abroad. The University has made serious efforts in promoting academics that resulted in remarkable progress in the fields of Science, Arts, Commerce, Engineering and Medical Sciences. The University has gained the status of Institution of Eminence and taken some path breaking initiatives. The infrastructural development of Mizoram University within a very short span of time is indeed commendable.

Mizoram University has been ranked as one of the top 100 Universities, by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Ranking from 2016 to 2022. It was ranked 78th in 2022 under the ‘Universities’ category among 900 Universities. The University, at the PG and UG level, has fully adopted the Choice Based Credit System that allows students freedom of choices in their discipline. It is one of the few universities in the entire country which has implemented the National Education Policy-2020 from the academic year 2022-2023.

I am happy to know that the university campus is eco-friendly and solar power supply supports major energy needs in the Campus. The Campus also hosts diverse flora and fauna. I urge other educational institutions also to adopt eco-friendly measures and sensitise students towards the environment.

The Mizoram University has three Incubators for providing innovative and practical training to the students. Faculty members of Mizoram University have been awarded a large number of research projects and have various scientific accomplishments to their credit through research publications, books and patents.

The University has signed MoUs with various universities and organisations at national and international level such as, University of Minnesota, USA; National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan; University of Malaysia; Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati; Mizoram Youth Commission; Engineering Projects (India) Limited, and other important organisations for various academic and technological collaborations. This has set a new template for other higher education institutions to explore avenues for collaborating with national and international organisations and create new benchmarks of excellence in academic and technological spheres.

Dear students and scholars,

Convocation is a historic occasion and marks the realization of dreams, innovation, commitment and hard work of the students and faculty members. For you, this is a moment of great satisfaction, joy and pride. It is important, on this occasion, to remember and recognize the efforts of those who have supported you throughout your journeys. Here I mean your family members who make sacrifices to enable you to reach your destination.

Today, unlimited opportunities stretch out before you. There is no limit to your capabilities, so just realize your potential. You are the best judge of your own talent and potential. Explore the world and do new experiments.

Here, I would quote Robert Frost

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and —

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.” (Unquote)

I further urge you all to take up the responsibility of educating the uneducated and spreading the light of knowledge. I am certain that you will continue to make your Alma Mater proud, as you have done today, on this 17th Convocation of Mizoram University.

I am very happy to know that out of 6826 students graduated in this academic session of 2021-22, more than 50 percent are girls. Also out of 64 gold medals, 40 have been won by girl students. Among book prize winners also, 15 out of 25 are girls. I appreciate that number of females in higher education is rising but it should rise at a higher rate. We should also ensure that participation of women in education should translate into increased participation in workforce also. When the women progress, the entire country progresses.

I am happy to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of various projects of state government and central government today. The inauguration of two scheduled tribe girls’ hostels at Mizoram University and at Sairang today is a step towards empowerment of girl students by providing access to quality education and other facilities.

I am happy to inaugurate the permanent campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) Aizawl which will be a boost to the media and mass communication studies in the entire North-East. IIMC is an esteemed institution which provides a dynamic learning and working environment which nurtures new ideas, creativity, research and develops leaders and innovators in the domain of media and mass communication.

The inauguration of new campus of Government Aizawl College in Mualpui, Aizawl will enhance quality of education and will provide better facilities for the students.

I am sure that the new Post Graduate academic block at Pachhunga University College will play a significant role in enhancing educational infrastructure.

I once again congratulate the graduating students and winners of gold medals and prizes and extend best wishes to the entire fraternity of Mizoram University.

Thank you! 
Jai Hind!