“Our civilization is in a sweet spot now when it comes to the possibilities we have to build things collaboratively. If the 20th century was about hierarchy, the 21st is about networks. The people who have the most opportunities today are the ones who collaborate and build the largest and most diverse networks,” said Nandan Nilekani, chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Delivering the convocation address at the third annual convocation of Jain University near here on Thursday, he said it was important to see peers as friends and collaborators rather than as opponents. “Your peers will be important sources of ideas, information and different perspectives on the world,” he said, citing the example of how Infosys (which he was co-founder of) was built with people like N.R. Narayana Murthy, who was a “great engineer and mentor” and Mr. Nilekani himself, being “good at marketing”.
Laurels
As many as 2,281 students were awarded degrees in undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes, while 91 rank-holders and 40 gold medallists were felicitated. Four women were awarded Ph.D. degrees.
Among the toppers this year was Srinidhi C.M. who completed M.Tech in avionics. A winner of two gold medals, he wants to design micro aerial vehicles in any Union government organisation.
Manasa J., an M.Phil in mathematics, won the ‘best M.Phil student 2011–12’ medal. She said she wanted to take forward her research in optimising techniques to reduce cost of ration for animals, especially in dairy farming.
