Regretting that India does not yet figure in the list of the countries with the best international educational institutions, President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday called for an “educational revolution” in the country.
Addressing the second convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar here, Mukherjee said, “Innovative changes are needed to make the country’s academic setup at global par.”
“Academic regulation must be streamlined to create a more flexible, transparent and student-friendly educational system,” the President said. Stating that a world-class higher education system is marked by excellence in functioning, Mukherjee said, “Improvement of India’s academic system calls for innovative changes.”
Mukherjee lamented that on account of lack of quality a very few Indian academic institutions can claim global reckoning. “As per the international ranking, there is not a single Indian university, including the IITs, amongst the top 200 universities in the world,” he rued. However, he affirmed that India has a vision to be in the league of leading nations and said, “This is possible only if we have highly capable engineers, scientists, doctors, academicians and other intellectuals.”
In order to claim global reckoning, Mukherjee said, “Our examination system must incorporate modern methods of evaluation. Top quality teachers must be recruited. A spirit of competition amongst universities must be infused.” The President also stressed the need for research and innovation, which he said, is an important cog in the wheel of development. However, he regretted that in India research and innovation do not adequately portray the inherent ingenuity of the people.
“It is the bounden duty of all our universities and engineering institutions to put research at the forefront of their academic efforts,” said Mukherjee. “I am happy that IIT Bhubaneswar has done exactly that,” said Mukherjee, adding that, as many as 129 students are today enrolled in its PhD programmes in pursuit of “cutting edge research in various fields”.
Mukherjee too called upon the IITcians to have a sense of empathy for the poor and downtrodden and to realise their hopes and aspiration while remaining at the altar of success. “Never forget to retain a sense of empathy for those countrymen of yours who are still burdened with hunger, poverty, deprivation, disease and backwardness,” he said.
Stating that IITs are recongnised the world over for academic excellence and their alumni have earned respect globally for their intellect and professionalism, Mukherjee said, “As a product of IIT, you have to live up to expectations.” On the occasion, Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) was conferred on three eminent scientists, Prof Asit K Biswas, Prof UR Rao and Prof lord S Kumar Bhattacharya. Awards were also given to the meritorious students while alumni were given degrees.
Governor SC Jamir, State Culture, Tourism and law Minister Maheswar Mohanty, IIT Bhubaneswar Board of Governors Chairman SK Roongta, Director of the institute Prof Madhusudan Chakravarty were present on the occasion.