Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed the annual convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati in a virtual conference, news agency ANI reported.

“The future of a nation is what its youth think today. Your dreams are going to shape the reality of India. This is the time to be future-ready,” the PM said in his address, as quoted by ANI.

He also talked about the National Education Policy during his address and discussed the institute’s role to successfully implement it. “National Education Policy will establish India as an international education destination. Our high performing institutions will be encouraged to set up campuses abroad. IIT-Guwahati has to play a key role in this vision of beyond boundaries expansion,” Modi said.

“NEP aims to open up our education sector. This will enable foreign universities to open up campuses in the country. Research collaboration and exchange programmes between Indian and global institutions will be promoted,” he added.

The Prime Minister also urged the IIT Guwahati to open a centre for disaster management and risk education. “The centre will also provide expertise to deal with disasters in the region, and turn disasters into opportunities,” he said.

Education Minister Ramesh Porkhriyal and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal were also present during the event.