Mukherjee calls for increasing GRE ratio

President Pranab Mukherjee today said India has to "cover many more miles" in Gross Enrollment Ratio (GRE) in higher education sector and reminded students that they were 'indebted' to the society as they were being educated from 'huge investments' made from public resources.
Addressing the first convocation of Indian Maritime University (IMU) here, the President paid rich tributes to India's maritime history, recalling trade relations between citizens of Indus valley and Mesopatomia.
India's GRE in the age group of 18-24 years was just 0.6 per cent and had grown upto seven per cent "but we shall keep in mind we are behind" compared with some other countries, he noted.

"This ratio of enrollment in Germany is 21 per cent and in the US 37 per cent. Therefore, we shall have to cover many more miles to reach the objective of higher GRE," he said.
Mukherjee reminded that after getting into the 'real world' the graduating students will not get the care and nurturing and affection found in their alma mater even as they will have to face many odds.
However, the knowledge and skill acquired in their institutions will help them face any kind of situation, he added.

"But at the same time, please always remember, the education which you have received, the teaching from excellent teachers, libraries that you all have used, have been built from huge investment from public resources the society has contributed to making you a first class professional," he said.

"As the society has invested in you, remember that you are indebted to your alma mater, society and country and you shall have to do your best to serve" them, he added.
Recalling the process towards setting up of IMU, a Central university, Mukherjee recalled he was the Chairman of the GoM that decided in this regard.
On the trade front, while India's 95 per cent of business in terms volume were done through seas, only 10 per cent of the trade was being carried through Indian flagships.
He called for steps to develop the ship-building capacity to make the country an economic giant.

He also called for more women seafarers, saying they had the potential to become such professionals.
Union Shipping Minister GK Vasan said plans were afoot to open IMU campuses in Karnataka, Goa and Odisha.