The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `Unlearning is a valuable skill'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 30, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`Unlearning is a valuable skill'

By Our Staff Reporter

A section of rank holders and medallists at the first convocation for students from affiliated colleges of Anna University in Chennai on Wednesday. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI, DEC. 29. "Our country needs entrepreneurs, people who embrace an attitude of life-long learning," said S. Ramadorai, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Consultancy Services.

He was speaking at the first convocation for students from affiliated colleges of Anna University.

Pointing out that the end of formal education did not mean the end of learning, he said learning was a much used and sought after life skill in the world of work. "One of the most valuable skills is the ability to unlearn and relearn," he said.

"We make elaborate investment plans for your money, why not make learning plans," he asked. "You can determine your own learning curve. You can keep track of whether you have reached a plateau." Modern technology such as the Internet made it possible for people to learn anywhere, he said.

"The change is so phenomenal, the world so dynamic - can we be anything else?" Being dynamic was not about acting immediately, but about acting intelligently, he said. "The ability to build on what you have studied and apply what you know - these are the skills you need," he said.

The Chancellor and Governor, Surjit Singh Barnala, conferred on Mr. Ramadorai an honorary doctoral degree. A total of 7,992 candidates, including undergraduates and doctoral students, received degrees. About 400 of them received the degrees in person.

"We are now the largest technical university in the world," said E. Balagurusamy, Vice Chancellor. "Our main concern is maintaining quality by focussing on four components: administration, faculty development, content and curriculum and the evaluation process."

The university aimed at making its graduates employable, he said. The university plans to offer placement support to all engineering colleges in the state. "As of now, companies only go to select colleges for recruitment. We want to make it easier for a bright student in a remote college to be selected," he said.

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