In today’s competitive world, youth should not waste time wandering around looking for jobs but should become self-reliant by properly utilizing technical knowledge and skills acquired in engineering education and focus on new innovations, journalist and orator Ajit Hanamakkanavar has said.He was speaking at the convocation and graduation certificate distribution programme organized at Jain College of Engineering and Research (JCER) in Belagavi on Saturday.“Now-a-days, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are growing rapidly. The job market is changing every moment and students should always update their skills accordingly. Instead of just being job-seekers with degree certificates in hand and wandering around looking for a job, you should develop the mindset of becoming an employer who provides jobs to people,” he said.“Parents should allow their children to grow according to their intelligence without putting pressure on them,” he said.Recalling the early days of his career, he said, “Our mother wanted me to become an engineer, while my father dreamt that his son will become a doctor. However, beyond both those fields, my interest was in journalism. It is because I chose my own path beyond the traditional expectations of my parents that I was able to make a name for myself in the media today.”Registrar of Visvesvaraya Technological University Prasad Rampure said that along with technical education, practical knowledge is very important to face global challenges.“A growing India needs new research from young engineers. Patience and perseverance are necessary for being successful researchers. You should keep that in mind and move forward,” he said.Principal and Director of the college S.V. Gorabal presented a report.A total of 260 students from various departments of the college were awarded their graduation certificates.Academic Dean Virupakshi Dalal, Program Coordinator Govind M.R., faculty members Prakash Sonawalkar, Colonel Johny, Jyothi B.R., Pritam Dumale, Tungesh Naidu, Chaitanya Jambotakar, K.B. Jagadish Gouda, Prasad Kulkarni, Raghu Gunagol, students, parents and others were present. Published - June 08, 2026 06:54 pm IST