Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/57

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University of Bombay.


It is to be regretted, as regards the degree in Medicine and the degree in Civil Engineering, Medicine and Engineering that equal success has not attended the students who have desired to graduate. But still it is a satisfaction to find that there are young men now seeking degrees in these faculties, and I will tell you why. I believe there is nothing more important than the influence which the University is day by day exercising amongst us in teaching the rising generation here not to look to Government employ only, not to look to the interests of patrons or to the favour of the "Sircar," but to know that they have always before them an independent career in honourable professions,—that they have equal honours, if not greater, to attain by means of their own exertions,—feeling sure as I do that such a result,—a desire amongst the enlightened native youth of this country to pursue liberal professions here—would tend as much to secure good and enlightened Government, that would render the people happy and contented, as any exertions on the part of those who are concerned in the administration.

There are several other points, Mr. Vice-Chancellor, which I should desire to draw attention to, but I feel I am trespassing too long upon your time. Benefactors of the University I cannot, however, refrain before I sit down from alluding to that letter which you read just before I commenced my address to this Senate, and from which we learn that Mr. Cowasjee Jehangier, one of the most enlightened citizens in this city, who has been always amongst the first to promote the highest interests of his people, the highest interests of society here, and to promote the best interests of this University in particular, as he was amongst the first, is now the very latest benefactor of the University of Bombay. And I do not think that there is anything which is more pleasing, in looking back to the past history of this University, than to find that alike in times of prosperity as in times when prosperity is past, there are enlightened men amongst the native community of this country who, feeling and knowing the duty they owe to society, are desiring to dis^charge that duty by nobly supporting this most valuable institution. I see near me a friend and colleague of my own, who himself must feel the greatest pleasure in a portion of that report which refers to a Travelling Fellowship established by him—I mean Mr. Munguldass Nathoobhoy. It must be a satisfaction to him to find that the first person who has obtained the Travelling Fellowship which his munificence has established, has distinguished himself by attaining the