Dr. K.T. Jaleel, Priyappetta Thaddesa Svayam Bharana

  Vakuppu Manthri,

Shri E.T. Muhammed Basheer M.P.,

Shri C. Mammootty MLA,

Shri V. Abdurahiman MLA,

Shri K. Bava, Chairman, Tirur Municipality,

Shri Kutty Ahmed Kutty, former Minister and Chairman,

    Governing Body,

Shri K.K. Abdul Salam, Chairman, Organizing Committee,

Shri Abdul Nazer Kaipanchery, Principal, SSM Polytechnic

   College,

Bahumaanya Adhyaapakare,

Priyappetta Poorva Vidyaarthikale,

Priya Vidyarthikale,

Madhyama Suhruthukkale,

Priyappetta Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.

It gives me immense joy to address you all on
this memorable occasion, which is like a home coming for many of the old students of the prestigious Seethi Sahib
Memorial Polytechnic College, Tirur.  With great pleasure,
I inaugurate this two day programme called Waves-2018 and also share with you, the joy of reunion that fills your minds as you step back into your beloved campus.

          Let me at the outset, compliment the College Authorities and the Alumni Association which has overseas chapters also, for taking efforts to convene this global Alumni meeting.  For the former students, it is at the same time, a trip down memory lane and an opportunity to contemplate on how best to add strength to their Alma Mater.

          This institution calls to mind, the memories of the Late Janab K.M. Seethi, better known as Seethi Sahib, who served as the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1960. I have heard that he was an eminent Lawyer, Writer and a gifted Orator.  Like other farsighted leaders of his time, he too was among those who helped to start a newspaper in 1934.  I am aware that the newspaper Chandrika, is gaining popularity well even now.

          I am informed that this institution, which bears Seethi Sahib's name, was founded by the Kerala Muslim Educational Association [KMEA] in 1962, as the first private Polytechnic in the State and that it has produced over 13000 engineers over the years.  It is commendable that the college has been selected for implementing the Canada India Institutional
co-operation project.  The trust won by the college also reflects in the large number of former students who have assembled here today, having come from different parts of the world.

          Alumni Associations are essential in every institution so as to ensure that students maintain a professional as well as emotional link with their institution. The professional experience and expertise of former students could very well be utilized to help the present students.  Most of you may be aware that many of the ranking systems for educational institutions consider the relations and coordination with the Alumni as a vital yardstick to assess the performance of a college.  Therefore, I would request all the former students to utilize this opportunity for discussing how best they can help this polytechnic in improving the infrastructure and academic performance.

        These days, the field of technology has become one of the largest employers in the world.  Therefore, in a technical institution like this, it will not be out of place to mention the peculiarities of today's employment sector.  Our institutions offering technological education produce a very large number of graduates and diploma holders every year, but recent surveys on their employability suggests that over 70% of them are not fit for employment.

        Today, Skills and knowledge are the real drivers of socio-economic growth all over the world.  Besides, our economy is developing into a knowledge-driven service economy.  But, unfortunately, we do not have enough skilled workers who would take up the jobs in the services sector.  The Alumni of this college, who are spread across the globe should interact more with the college so as to convey the latest skill-sets demanded by the industry all over the world.

       You may be aware of how the Prime Minister's ambitious 'Skill India' Mission has changed our outlook in favour of skill training. Training in vocational skills has attained significance in Kerala too. Today, much of our skill training is focused on graduates of engineering and science.  We need to shift the focus towards the students of diploma level courses too.  I understand that the Skill India Mission has specified assistance for developing facilities in Polytechnics.

       I would also like to point out the State Government's plan to empower the differently abled people by providing training in information technology jobs. The Polytechnic institutions should take up this as a mission so that once in a while training programmes could be held for people other than regular students in your campus.  May be, the alumni Association could initiate a centre for such training activities along with the other activities like relief and charity works which are being done now.

       Our Start up ecosystem is now one of the best in the country.  I would request our Alumni to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship among the students through regular sessions of sharing of experience and by strengthening the placement cell.

       To conclude, I would remind the students that they are lucky to be part of the largest young workforce in the world today. As we all know, India now has 54% of the total population under 25 years of age. This demographic advantage will last only till 2040.  This means, we have to overcome our skill shortages by upgrading our skills so that we corner the best careers in the coming years.

       My best wishes to all the students of this Polytechnic for upgrading their skills more meaningfully.  I once again greet all the teachers and the Alumni and compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni / Jai Hind

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