Lucknow: Governor Anandiben Patel, also chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), on Tuesday asked teachers in govt engineering colleges to improve teaching methods so their students can match or outperform private-college counterparts in academic results and awards.Addressing the AKTU convocation, Patel said govt institutions typically admit top-ranking qualifiers, yet students from private colleges affiliated to the university secured more medals. She highlighted that 33 students from AKTU and govt engineering colleges received medals, compared with 49 medal winners from private colleges.Patel said govt colleges charge lower fees to ensure bright students from economically weaker families can pursue technical education, and therefore deserve greater academic support. She urged faculty to focus on classroom delivery, mentoring and overall quality of education to help such students realise their potential.The governor noted that artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning and robotics are reshaping sectors and job markets. She called for technology to be used not only for innovation and productivity but also to preserve Indian languages, culture and heritage. Patel asked students to apply AI for social welfare, conservation of cultural heritage and practical problem-solving.Referring to advances in indigenous defence systems, clean energy and emerging technologies, she said India is moving from being a technology consumer to a technology creator.“Strive to become job creators”Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Arvinder Singh Sahney, who was the chief guest at the AKTU convocation, said that Uttar Pradesh has developed a strong technical education ecosystem and urged graduates to become problem-solvers and job creators rather than job seekers. State technical education minister Ashish Patel congratulated the medal winners.
