Laying emphasis on the need for research to speed up development in the country, Avinash Chander, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, urged students to take up goal-oriented topics.
“Universities and colleges should be breeding grounds for ideas for the advancement of science and technology,” he said, while addressing the students at Thiagarajar College of Engineering on the Graduation Day ceremony on Saturday.
“The responsibility to motivate the students to take up research lies with the college faculty,” Mr.Chander said, and asserted that out-of-the-box thinking was the need of the hour. “Do not feel scared to stand out. Glory is fleeting, accomplishment is not,” he said.
Speaking about the activities of the Defence, Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Mr.Chander said research and development centres were proposed to be set up in universities in five zones in the country. Three centres had started functioning in Hyderabad, Coimbatore and Kolkata.
“The DRDO has set up a research innovation centre at IIT-Madras to facilitate research,” Mr.Chander said, and lauded the Tamil Nadu Government for having taken steps to establish important centres in universities in the State.
Calling the graduates ‘Leaders of the next generation,’ he asked them to involve themselves in nation-building and transform the country into a knowledge superpower. “Be leaders who not just take charge but step forward and make a difference,” he said.
As many as 900 students received their degrees from Mr.Chander.
The guest of honour, S.Lakshmanan, Managing Director of Tecton group of companies, encouraged the students to become entrepreneurs and shared his experiences when he started his company.
“As engineers, seek to be job makers, not job seekers. When you start revelling in the feeling of ownership, you will enjoy what you do and reap its benefits,” said Mr.Lakshmanan.
College chairman and correspondent Karumuttu T Kannan urged the engineers to turn to manufacturing sector for opportunities. “There has been a resurgence in the manufacturing sector. Think yourselves as a student and keep learning in the field. This will make a great difference to your career,” Mr.Kannan said.
Principal V.Abhaikumar was present.
