ADDRESS AT THE CONVOCATION OF THE KERALA UNIVERSITY OF FISHERIES AND OCEAN STUDIES (KUFOS), KOCHI– AT 1400 HRS ON 29-10-2018.
Smt. J. Mercykutty Amma, Pro-Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies,
Prof. K.V. Thomas, Member of Parliament,
Shri John Fernandez, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Shri E. T. Taison Master, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Adv. A. N. Shamseer, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Adv. M. Swaraj, Member of Legislative Assembly,
Dr. A. Ramachandran, Vice-Chancellor,
Dr. V.M. Victor George, Registrar, KUFOS,
Members of the Governing Council, Academic Council,
Senate Members,
Respected Teachers, Parents and my dear Graduates,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends in Media,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
It gives me at great joy to address you at the 5th Convocation of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), Kochi, which is the first Fisheries University in India.
Let me at the outset, congratulate all the students who are receiving their degree today in their respective disciplines. I also share the joy of the parents who are present here today.
As we all know, a Convocation is only a milestone in the life of a student, since education is a life-long process. If the degree you have acquired makes you feel relaxed, the message is that all is not well. A graduation should not make you complacent; instead, it must inspire you to move forward in education and to explore new areas of knowledge. Let us not forget that higher Education can have only a beginning and no end.
You are aware that the Fisheries sector, which was once considered a small part of agriculture, has expanded and diversified in the recent years, offering a world of opportunities for professionals. It is in this backdrop that the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) was established as a flagship University for providing professionally and technically competent manpower with high level of entrepreneurship and employability. I am happy that over the years, KUFOS has established its relevance by encouraging a vibrant culture of research aimed at the integrated and sustainable growth of fisheries Sector, in partnership with the Government, Industry, Fish farmers and the fisher-folk.
It is gratifying to know that the graduates of KUFOS respond to the needs of the society and ensure that their
in-depth research benefits the society. I hope that the four Centers of Excellences developed by the University are effectively addressing the major issues in Fisheries and Ocean Science which are relevant to the State of Kerala. That 31 students have joined PhD. during this year indicates the university's success in highlighting researchable issues among students.
Students and researchers in Fisheries have an increased role at a time when our earnings from export of fish and fishery products have improved. With the Fisheries sector contributing 1.1 percentage of the Gross Domestic Product [GDP] and 5.5% of the Agriculture GDP, it has outgrown the earlier consideration as a small part of agriculture. Society expects that the students of Fisheries and Ocean studies should focus their attention on research that would help to sustain such growth.
We must also remember that on a general level, our dependence on the sea and other water resources has now moved beyond the search for food. It has broadened to the search for medicines, industrial products etc. While this has opened up newer areas for scientific inquiry, we also see a threat to our marine biodiversity. The attention of our students and researchers should also be directed towards the protection of this biodiversity and towards educating people on its significance.
Our extension activities should also help farmers to improve freshwater aquaculture by acquainting them with better varieties and guiding them in areas like fish health, hatchery management etc. I am happy that KUFOS has already started a White legged Shrimp Hatchery and a hatchery unit for the ‘State fish’, Etroplus. The development of value added Fish and Agriculture products and the move to commercialize them also deserve appreciation.
In the last Convocation also I had brought to your attention the problem of the Pollution of water bodies and the havoc caused by the use of toxic preservatives. I would again remind you to popularize the university's facility for periodic testing for toxic materials in high valued marine fish sold in our markets. If the university could generate an annual revenue of Rs.64 lakh through the sale of fish seeds, it could certainly add to its coffers through the other advancements it has made.
It goes without saying that academic research in a Fisheries university should be sensitive to the needs of the coastal communities. Today's Blue Economy model of growth is based on fisheries, renewable energy, infrastructure, industry and tourism, signaling great scope for interdisciplinary research. It also integrates Ocean Economy with principles of social inclusion, environmental sustainability and innovative business models etc. However, it is important to ensure that the sea and ocean resources are utilized effectively for the benefit of coastal communities and the general populace. We need to ask ourselves about how much our research focuses on this aspect.
For this, we need to make our interactions with coastal communities more frequent. We who deal with modern scientific knowledge and technology may also have something to learn from them. You may perhaps recall how we in Kerala learned a great lesson in disaster management from our coastal community. Let us receive their traditional knowledge with an open mind and if possible improve upon it. In short, our interactions must make such communities feel respected and valued.
The worth of a university is measured in terms of how it responds to the needs of the society. The development of technologies for Pen and pond culture of Seabass, the field level kit for rapid detection of antibiotic residue in shrimp, the facility for testing for White tail disease of freshwater prawns and the university's involvement in water testing during the recent floods are indicative of an active involvement. I am also happy that KUFOS has been broadening its influence by entering into academic cooperation with national and international institutions.
I understand that the setting up of a new fishery station at Payyanur to undertake an in depth study on brackish-water fish farming and to give advisory services to fish farmers has enhanced the university's reach. It is good that many training programs in fish farming, value addition of fish, scientific shrimp farming and entrepreneurship development are being conducted there for the farming community, unemployed youth and Self help Groups. Such activities within the State are equally important as the national and international linkages, since it is through such gestures that we fulfill the responsibility of creating a suitable human resources base in tune with the rapid growth of the fisheries industry.
I congratulate all those students who received their degrees and medals today and I offer them my best wishes and blessings on this memorable occasion. May the light of knowledge that you have received empower you professionally so that you play a larger role in building a new and better society.
I also compliment the University for conducting this Convocation in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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