President Patil Stresses on Practical Application of Science
Pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Dec 8 (UNI): President Pratibha Devisingh Patil stressed that teaching basic science with practical applications to change the landscape of our villages and towns should be looked at seriously by our education system.
Delivering the convocation address at the 10th convocation of Manipal University here on Wednesday December 8 she said that scientists and researchers must look at bringing in new revolutions for enhancing productivity on a sustainable basis. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in our research capacity, she noted.
The President also emphasized that universities must have outreach programmes that enable students to interact with local communities and understand their issues. Those who are educated must work to uplift the disadvantaged section of the society and also undertake social welfare work, help the poor as well as the needy and become messengers of change. This requires a spirit of social service to reach out and connect India physically, technologically and emotionally, she said.
Patil said that significant strides made by our country with respect to advances in electronics, communications and computer technology have enabled India to emerge as a major player in these fields. To maintain a leadership role in the knowledge economy, we must focus on innovation and on remaining competitive. Today we are the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and one of the fastest growing economies of the world, she said.
She expressed that given our impressive performance during the last decade, and our resilience during the global economic slowdown, we can look forward to achieving double digit growth rates. However, we have to address many constraints and remove many roadblocks such as inadequate physical infrastructure including poor roads, bridges, harbours, as well as power generation capacity on our growth trajectory, she said.
Stating that India has a unique demographic advantage in terms of manpower availability for building the nation, the President said that the energy of youth and their enthusiasm should be guided into productive works. Universities have a responsibility to nurture the future citizens of the country and our education system should look at the holistic development of the youths, she said.
She called upon the students to become intellectually competent and technically skilled with a questioning mind. Stressing the importance of values without which knowledge is incomplete, she urged that the education system should strengthen adherence to secularism, inclusiveness and pluralism which are the great values enshrined in our constitution. It is also important to build a spirit of team work constructively, she added.
The President also called upon the universities to be symbols of learning, humanism, tolerance and balanced reasoning. Practices like ragging and harassing others should find no place in educational institutions, she stressed.
Expressing her serious concern about the rising habit of drug consumption among students, Patil urged that there should be a campaign to make students aware of the ill effects of drug consumption as it debilitates life and draws one away from academic and intellectual pursuits.
The President also conferred PhD awards on 28 persons and awarded gold medals to 13 students on the occasion.
Also Read: