Srinagar, June 09: President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday that he was happy to know that IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu and AIIMS Jammu are integrating and offering courses in which students from one institute can get access to the other.

In his address during the 5th Convocation at IIM Jammu, President Kovind congratulated the students and degree holders for their achievements.

He also congratulated their parents and teachers and stated that they have toiled hard to witness this day which is so important in the lives of these young students.

He said that the integration of courses and institutes is in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy-2020.

“I urge IIM Jammu and other institutes in your proximity to adopt towns and villages of the neighborhood and channelize the potential of the people for bigger goals, be it in the field of entrepreneurship or research or skill development,” he said.

He also said that he was happy to know about the steps taken to develop Srinagar Off-Campus of IIM Jammu, which will further increase higher education outreach in this part of the country.

“I am glad to note that students from 25 States and Union Territories are receiving education from the faculty drawn from all over the country. This makes IIM Jammu reflect a young mini-India. I am told that adjunct faculty from countries like the UK, France, Brazil and the US are associated with IIM Jammu, ” he said.

He added that he was happy to note that the institute has tied up with 15 prestigious institutions in the US, France, Australia, Korea and the UK for student and faculty exchange programs.

“I am told that the new campus of the institute is targeted to be fully functional by November this year. I extend my best wishes for the team here to achieve the target.”

President Kovind added that the United Nations has been publishing a World Happiness Report along with the ranking of countries on happiness related parameters.

“In a world full of stress, happiness is as much about the spirit of the person as it is about external conditions. Therefore, the right training of the people in the art of happiness is as important as their training in skills and professions,”

He added that in this context, the initiative of setting up a Centre for Happiness, named ‘Anandam’, by IIM Jammu is a welcome step.