Ignited minds: Preisident Bharrat Jagdeo (centre), Professor Makarand Jawdekar (second from right), and Prof M. S. Swaminathan
President Bharrat Jagdeo was on Tuesday, February 8th, conferred with an honorary doctorate of literature by the Padmashree Dr DY Patil University in Mumbai, India, at its Annual Convocation Ceremony.
In accepting the award, President Jagdeo alluded to the global trends of greater access to information, which will change the demand for educational services and technical expertise. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, the president said that India has emerged as a leader in modernising and expanding education to meet its domestic demand, while strategically positioning itself to offer this expertise to other countries.
The president also challenged the more than 1000 graduates to continue to excel in their respective disciplines as they venture into the world of employment, and to understand the linkages between the various disciplines and the environment, and how the global environment and the rapid, unprecedented changes taking place will influence every sector and every academic discipline.
In recognising the global challenges, President Jagdeo pointed to the opportunities for many cultures to work together. The rich cultural heritage and traditions of India and Guyana have provided a good foundation for the two countries to continue to work closely. The sterling contribution by the DY Patil Group towards improving the education sector in India was also commended.
Professor MS Swaminathan, in his presentation, lauded the effort by the university to recognise President Jagdeo, the important contribution Guyana has been making towards sustainable forest management, and the lessons being offered that can serve globally as examples for other forested countries.
The Padmashree Dr DY Patil University is part of the DY Patil Group, one of the largest groups in India in the area of private education. It has more than 100 educational institutions, with over 100,000 students, and it covers a range of disciplines.
Another recipient was Dr. Makarand Jawadekar, former executive of Pfizer global research and development, who received a Doctor of Science.
