As per an official release, the Scientific and Technological Hub, Martyr Ihaddaden Abdelhafid University of Algeria conferred the Degree of Honorary Doctorate on the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at a function held at Sidi Abdellah. President Murmu was conferred the degree in Political Science in recognition of her advocacy of science and knowledge for all social groups in India.
On this occasion, President Murmu shared humbly, “I am delighted to be here with all of you today. It is, indeed, a humbling experience for me to be honored with the Honorary Doctorate. This is an honor for my country more than for me as an individual. It is an honor you are bestowing on a country, civilization and a culture that has been an ardent and consistent champion of peace and education since time immemorial”.
Continuing she shared, “I understand this university, a shining example of India-Algeria collaboration, was inaugurated by President Tebboune in March 2024. I witnessed President Tebboune’s foresight and vision for ‘New Algeria’, where Science & Technology will be at the forefront.”
Sharing her journey from a tribal under-privileged and remote village to becoming the Head of State of her country, she told students that her childhood was full of challenges and obstacles; however, she became the first woman from her village to graduate from a university. Passion for education and empowerment has been a driving force throughout her personal life, and dedicated herself to serving the nation thereafter. “I am now the first person from a tribal community and also the youngest to occupy the highest office of the Republic of India”, she shared.
President Murmu informed Algerian students that “a key pillar of India’s rapid economic recovery is technology-led and women-led growth. The massive digital transformation taking place in India, never seen anywhere in the world stage, has encouraged the participation of women in the workforce. There are about 36% women out of 4.4 million professionals working in IT sector. The benefits of technology-based financial inclusion have also gone in a large measure, to the women in rural areas”.
She felt happy to note that Algeria is keen to promote dialogue with India on digitalization of their retail payment system. Sharing about India’s progress in the space exploration and Science and Technology sector; President Murmu further informed, “Our Gaganyaan mission, planned to be launched next year, will take a team of Indian astronauts into the space abroad, in India’s first human space flight”.
Education is undoubtedly the most impactful mechanism for human development, social upliftment and economic development. It brings equality and neutralizes societal inequities, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach even the most marginalized. Education is a means not only for individual empowerment but for national development as well.
President Murmu informed: “In recent years, India has made considerable progress in the field of education. Our literacy rates have gone up significantly. India has one of the world’s largest higher education systems with over 58,000 higher education institutions, and more than 43 million students enrolled for higher education. Over the past decade alone, we have created nearly 400 new universities, 5300 new colleges, 75 new institutes of national importance, 14 new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, 7 new Indian Institutes of Technologies and 7 new Indian Institutes of Management, with half of the new institutions located in rural areas”.
With the objective to develop students as enlightened citizens and to lead India into the ‘Knowledge Economy’ of tomorrow, Government of India has brought several reforms in its education sector. The goal of recently introduced new National Education Policy 2020 is to transform the education system at all levels. The policy also opens avenues for collaboration with foreign educational institutions.
Drawing Algerian students’ attention to Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation, popularly known as ITEC program, she shared that “Under this initiative, so far, 31,000 Africans and 155 Algerians have availed of the benefits of this program. It is matter of pride for us that ITEC Alumni have carved a niche for themselves in their respective countries. Many of them have become Ministers, senior diplomats, government officials and leading entrepreneurs. I urge Government of Algeria to utilize this unique opportunity being offered by the Indian Government.”
Wishing young students, she invoked them to be the enlightened citizens of ‘New Algeria’ and a vibrant bridge, building relations between India and Algeria.
India provides quality education at a fraction of the cost of western institutions to ever increasing number of students from Africa, including from Algeria. She invited educational institutions, governmental departments and youth of Algeria to take advantage of various initiatives of Government of India.
India-Algeria relations date back to the days of the Algerian liberation struggle against colonialism, when India advocated the cause of Algerian independence at the United Nations and other international fora. Following Algerian independence and the establishment of the diplomatic relations in July 1962, this policy orientation brought India and Algeria closer for the friendly relations continuing to this day. President Murmu expressed her heartfelt thanks to President Tebboune, Minister Kamel Baddari, Dean and others. Believing in the power and capabilities of Algerian youth, she anticipated Algeria on a path of glorious development through it.
Educationist/Administrator/Editor/Author/Speaker
Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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