Anyone willing to contribute to the development of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) can approach the government for financial help and funds will be provided without any hassle.
This was stated by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav after unveiling a statue of Kalam and laying foundation stone of his memorial on the new campus of the AKTU to mark the 84th birth anniversary of the late President on Thursday.
A book, ‘Aao Bachcho Aavishkarak Bane’, written by Dr Kalam was also released by the Chief Minister at the function. Yadav said, “When Dr Kalam passed away, every state had something in mind to start in his memory. The Samajwadi Party government chose to pay the great scientist its tribute by naming the largest technical university of UP after him. What is more, the Technical Education department made concerted efforts to make this university match the standards of Dr Kalam.”
An AKTU alumnus who had closely worked with Dr Kalam for 15 years, Srijan Pal, in his address, said, “This is the first time I am not wishing Kalam Sir on his birthday. Having known him for so many years, I can vouch that he must be very happy today. Since he was all for the development of youth, the extension of AKTU would give him immense happiness. With UP accounting for the maximum number of youth of this country, Dr Kalam was specially attached to the state.”
Technical Education Minister Shivkant Ojha said the day was historic for technical education as the youngest Chief Minister of India was laying the foundation for the development of the youth of the largest state of the country.
He assured the gathering that the AKTU would soon be recognised world-wide. Talking about the agenda decided by the government for the university, Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan said that a special committee had been set up by the Chief Minister to look into the development of the university.
“With the current pace of work, this university will soon be the largest centre of invention and innovation. It will also be an institute for advanced studies,” he said. In his address, AKTU Vice-Chancellor Vinay Kumar Pathak said, “Much more than just the name has changed in this university since it was named after Dr Kalam. Education at the university has been made vocational and learner-centric. Several MoUs have been singed with majors like Goggle, Intel etc. A finishing school and an employment school are being developed to make the students more industry-friendly.”