Though India has become one of the strongest in the world in terms of scientific manpower, the country’s universities and institutions should be able to challenge the frontiers of knowledge while creating an environment supportive of innovation, Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister and
DRDO chief Dr Avinash Chander said while addressing the 3rd Convocation of the SOA University here on Saturday.
Dr Chander, who was the guest of honour at the academic event, said in spite of its strong scientific and technical manpower base, India was still far behind in creation of intangible assets and ownership of patents.
“The time has come to reverse this trend which is possible only through dedicated programmes for research in the frontier areas of technology, engineering and science,” he said while commenting that higher
academic institutions in the country lacked orientation towards research, as a result of which their standing amongst the top global institutions was not very high.
“Our institutions must be able to challenge the frontiers of knowledge. Our universities have to create an environment supportive of innovation,” the DRDO chief said.
Former DGP of Uttar Pradesh and former Additional DG, CISF, Dr Chandra Bhanu Satpathy delivered the convocation address. SOA University Chancellor Prof Khageswar Pradhan presided. Among others, Vice-Chancellor Prof RP Mohanty and Registrar Prof BB Pradhan were also present.
Dr Satpathy, Dr Chander, Dr Kota Harinarayana, Prof V Nagaraajan, poet Dr Sitakant Mahapatra and former Director of IIT, Kharagpur Prof Kl Chopra were awarded the honoris causa by the university on the occasion. Twenty five researchers got their PhD degrees.