Governor calls for education that goes beyond degrees

SHIMLA 23 September, 2026

· Universities must equip youth with knowledge, skills, employability and entrepreneurship: Governor

· Governor addresses foundation day celebrations of Shri Sai University at Palampur

Governor Kavinder Gupta said that in the present context, merely obtaining a degree was not enough. There was a need for an education system that imparted knowledge along with skills, confidence, employability and opportunities for entrepreneurship.

The Governor was addressing the foundation day celebrations of Shri Sai University at Palampur in Kangra district today.

Shri Gupta said that the real identity of any university was defined by its contribution to knowledge, values, research, innovation and society. He said that the academic journey of the Shri Sai Group, which began at Badhani in 1996, was an inspiring example of long-term commitment and sustained efforts in the field of education.

Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s unique geographical conditions, the Governor said that many parts of the state were mountainous, rural and remote. In such circumstances, establishing an institution of higher education in a region was not merely an academic achievement but also an important instrument of social transformation, opening new avenues of opportunity for local youth.

Shri Gupta said that the impact of establishing a university was not confined to one generation but extended to generations to come. Visionary leadership, he said, should consider not only present requirements but also the possibilities and challenges of the next 20, 30 and even 50 years.

Describing India as a young nation, the Governor said that universities needed to further strengthen their linkages with industry to channelize the energy and potential of the youth. The Governor said to students that “your goal should not be limited to securing a job. You should also aspire to become capable of creating employment opportunities for others”.

He said that India today was witnessing a growing ecosystem of innovation, start-ups and entrepreneurship. Universities, therefore, should create an environment where students become not merely job seekers, but employment creators, problem-solvers and innovators capable of turning new ideas into reality.