Ranchi: The tribal students should be trained and taught constructive leadership qualities, President Pratibha Patil said here on Friday.

She laid stress on improving the leadership qualities of tribal students while addressing the silver jubilee convocation of the Ranchi University.

"In Jharkhand, students can work voluntarily on projects relating to community education and welfare. With a large tribal population, mineral reserves and forests, development should be sustainable, should be done in a manner that a balance is retained between economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects," Patil said.

She said it was essential that all students imbibe as habits the three essential qualities of discipline, concentration and time management.

Patil awarded 25 gold medals to girl students and 11 to boys at the convocation.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda said his government was determined to accord priority to the education sector.

He said the government was planning to open 48 model colleges in every district of the state in this fiscal. IANS