Patna: Bihar governor Satya Pal Malik, who also happens to be the chancellor of state universities, on Saturday stressed on education being the most powerful tool to empower people and called for upgrade of existing universities to cater to the changing times.

Speaking as the chief guest at the annual day event of Patna Women's College, Malik linked the number of Nobel laureates in US with economic growth, and urged the students to take inspiration from it and move forward on the path of education and enlightenment.

"You are the sculptors of destiny. Never be complacent. Life is to live, to move forward, to have a dream and pursue it. Always look for opportunities hidden behind adversities," Malik said.

Patna University vice-chancellor (VC) Rash Bihari Singh, pro-VC Dolly Sinha, registrar Rabindra Kumar, college principal Marie Jessie, Avila Convent superior M. Reema, professors Shefali Roy, Yosha Singh, Minati Chaklanavis and several others, including Stuti Shree, Ankita Sahay, Fatima and Shweta Bharti, were present on the occasion.

The governor linked the ongoing Swachh Bharat campaign with women's dignity and health and added that the priority was to ensure that all colleges in the state have separate toilets and common rooms for girls and women.

Praising the college, Malik pointed out towards its distinguished status as a centre of learning and also the autonomous status granted by the University Grants Commission (UGC).