President Droupadi Murmu, currently on a three-nation tour, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science by Sidi Abdellah Science and Technology Pole University in Algiers on October 14.
During the ceremony, Murmu expressed her gratitude, saying, “It is indeed a humbling experience for me to be honoured with the Honorary Doctorate. This is an honour for my country more than for me as an individual.” She emphasized the importance of engaging with students, noting, “It is always a pleasure to address young minds in the universities brimming with confidence dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge that directly impacts national development missions.”
The Doctorate was presented to Murmu by Kamal Baddari, Algeria’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
In her address at the university, President Murmu highlighted India’s commitment to providing quality education at affordable prices, particularly for students from Africa, including Algeria. “We also offer several scholarships and fellowships to African students. I invite educational institutions, governmental departments, and youth of Algeria to take advantage of various initiatives of the Government of India,” she said.
Murmu emphasized the role of education in reducing inequalities and promoting equal opportunities, urging Algerian students and officials to participate in India’s ITEC program and other scholarship offerings. “It is a 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,” she said.
The President also discussed the technological advancements in India, noting that women play a crucial role in the country’s economic recovery. “The massive digital transformation taking place in India, never seen anywhere on the world stage, has encouraged the participation of women in the workforce. About 36 percent of the 4.4 million professionals working in our IT sector are women,” she added.
Murmu highlighted the progress made in space exploration and science and technology, expressing satisfaction with Algeria’s interest in collaborating with India on digital payment systems and other technological advancements. “I am happy to note that Algeria is keen to promote dialogue with India on the digitalization of their retail payment system,” she said, referencing India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, which aims to launch Indian astronauts into space next year.
Murmu said that both countries have made progress in the space exploration and science and technology sector.
“I am happy to note that Algeria is keen to promote dialogue with India on digitalization of their retail payment system. We have also made progress in the space exploration and science and technology sector. Our Gaganyan mission, planned to be launched next year, with a team of Indian astronauts in the space abroad, in India’s first human space flight,” she said.
“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 last decade alone, we have created nearly 400 new universities, 5,300 new colleges, 75 new institutions of national importance, 40 new All-India Institutions of Medical Sciences, seven new Indian Institutes of Technology, and seven new Indian Institutes of Management, with half of the institutions located in rural areas,” she said.
Murmu also spoke of the New Education Policy and its potential for fostering international collaborations., “With the objectives of developing students as enlightened citizens and to lead India into the knowledge economy of tomorrow, the government of India has brought several reforms in its education sector. The goal of our recently introduced new National Education Policy of 2020 is to transform the education system at all levels. The policy also opens avenues of collaboration with foreign educational institutions. Under our flagship programme called ‘Indian Technical and Educational Programme’, so far, 31,000 Africans and 155 Algerians have availed of the benefits. It is a matter of pride that the ITech alumni have carved a niche for themselves in their respective countries. Many of them have become ministers, senior diplomats, government officials and leading entrepreneurs,” she said.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Murmu shared her pride in being the first woman from her village to graduate from college. “Passion for education and empowerment has been the driving force in my personal life,” she said.
She concluded by affirming the historical ties between India and Algeria, saying, “India-Algeria relations date back to the days of the Algerian liberation struggle against colonization… The current developments are a good beginning.” Murmu expressed optimism that the youth of both nations would strengthen the bonds between them, enhancing the existing cordial relations.
(Inputs from ANI)