Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 11: Chancellor of Manipal University, Padma Bhushan, Dr Ramdas M Pai, called upon the higher education system in the country to maintain its originality, identify its inherent strengths, and lay stress always on maintaining quality of education. “This should continue to happen irrespective of political, economic, technological, and social changes that may occur from time to time,” he said.

Pai was speaking after accepting a felicitation organized for him by Manipal Group of Institutions at KMC Greens on Sunday April 10, in the backdrop of his having been conferred the Padma Bhushan title by the President of India. Vasanti Pai was also felicitated separately.

Pai wanted revolutionary changes to happen in the higher education sector, newer researches, and also facilitating creation of conducive environment for these things to happen. He said that the title that was conferred on him belongs to everyone involved with Manipal University. He wanted universities to give more importance to economic and social development, without confining themselves to distribution of degrees. Noting that the government has not been giving much importance to private participation, he called upon for bringing a transformation in this mindset.

Academy of General Education president, Dr A Krishna Rao, Dr T M A Pai Foundation chairman, T Mohandas Pai, Manipal Academy of Higher Education member, Dr M V Kamat, Manipal Hospital chief executive officer, Rajan Padukone, and scores of dignitaries and leaders congratulated Pai on this occasion. 

Pro chancellor of the university, Dr H S Ballal, announced that to commemorate the conferring of the above title on Dr Pai, 50 PhD scholarships will be granted every year, and that five chairs of research will be set up. Dayanand Pai, philanthropist from Bangalore, announced that he will donate a matching grant of Rs 50 lac for one of the research chairs of the university. He handed over the initial cheque in this connection, to Dr Ramdas M Pai.