Skills Matter More than Degrees: Minister Sridhar Babu
He was speaking at the ‘MATA (Mana American Telugu Association) - TASK Free Online IT Training’ certificate distribution ceremony at TASK headquarters, Masab Tank
Hyderabad: "Learn, unlearn and relearn—that is the true mantra for success in today’s fast-evolving world. Degrees alone are no longer sufficient; it is skills that determine your future,” said IT and industries minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu. He assured that the rise of automation would present new opportunities and not threats.
He was speaking at the ‘MATA (Mana American Telugu Association) - TASK Free Online IT Training’ certificate distribution ceremony at TASK headquarters, Masab Tank. Emphasising the need for continuous self-improvement, Sridhar Babu said, “Students must shed outdated knowledge and embrace lifelong learning. Only then can true success be achieved.”
Quoting a Nasscom report, he pointed out that nearly 50 per cent of graduates lack the skills required for employability, particularly in critical fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, dataanalytics, cybersecurity and cloud computing.
Addressing concerns around job losses due to automation, the minister cited a World Economic Forum report that estimated 8.5 crore jobs may be displaced by 2025, but 9.7 crore new jobs will also be created, leading to a net gain in employment.
He said that in addition to degrees and technical expertise, students must develop essential 21st-century competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. “A life without purpose is like a letter without an address,” Sridhar Babu said, urging students to define clear goals early, remain focused, and combine hard work with smart strategies to achieve meaningful success.
He encouraged the youth to embrace innovation over convention and reiterated the state government’s commitment to making Telangana the “Skill Capital of the Globe.” He highlighted initiatives like TASK and the upcoming Young India Skills University as part of this vision and called on students to use such platforms while also maintaining a sense of social responsibility in their careers.
The event was attended by TASK CEO Srikanth Sinha, COO Sunkireddy Raghavender Reddy, and MATA representatives, including Srinivas, Pradeep, Vijay Bhaskar, Nagesh, Kalyani and Dr Vijay Bhaskar, among others.
