MAPUSA
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday said the Agnel Institute not only provided education to students, but helped them to stand on their own feet by ensuring they are gainfully employed or start an enterprise of their own.
“This is not just an institute that issues degrees and awards, but brings out the best of the students and make them stand on their own feet,” said Parsekar, commending the yeoman service carried by the institute all over the country.
The chief minister was speaking as the guest of honour in the presence Union Minister for Defence Manohar Parrikar who was the chief guest and others at a function in Assagao after inaugurating the twin projects “ Agnel Institute of Technology and Design and Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration.
Speaking further, he said Agnel Institute invests in students and many of those who pass out of the institute create jobs for others, thereby forging a partnership with the government.
“For a government to be partner with such institutes is not a favour, but the need of the hour,” Parsekar said.
Going down the memory lane, the chief minister said soon after Liberation even to appoint teachers the government had to depend on neighbouring states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.
“But after 55 years, things have improved considerably and we have different types of educational institutions “ medical college, pharmacy, engineering, teachers training, etc, in the State,” he said.
The State can boast of having the best colleges and educational institutions in the country.
“In other states, you pay the fees and get degrees, but this does not happen in Goa,” the chief minister said.
He commended the effort of those at the helm of Goa University for bagging 20th rank among the first top universities all over the country.
He said the State government provided almost Rs 30 crore as scholarship loans to students for further education.
“Goa government has managed to recover almost 97% of the loans every year, which shows that our students are not only hard working but also sincere in repaying the loans so that other students can benefit,” he said.
Earlier, Parrikar inaugurated the twin projects “ Agnel Institute of Techonlogy and Design and Centre for Incubation and Business Acceleration in the presence of Parsekar, Panaji MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar and other dignitaries.
Earlier, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi Theodore Mascarenhas blessed the institute.
Goa University Vice-Chancellor Satish Shetye, several senior educationists, faculty members, Assagao Communidade officials and others were present for the function.
