: Universities should adopt nearby schools for imbibing scientific research among students. In doing so, higher educational institutions could enrich the teachers’ approach to research, former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said here on Monday.
Speaking after releasing the SASTRA University Vision 2025 document and commissioning their 1.25 MW roof-top solar system, he said university teachers and researchers should go to these schools at least for six months to impart science education to the teachers there.
Delivering a lecture on “Innovation and creativity empowers the nation,” he said research has enhanced the quality of teaching and institutions have carved out a name for themselves in the academic world.
While students with research focus would tend to be aggressive with questions, the sharp gradient and accelerated development processes could provide a platform for research for sustainable development, he observed.
With increasing global population and dwindling resources we need to look for new research for abundant resources and that called for ‘noble spirit’ and ‘research spirit.’ Consequently, universities and institutions should prepare citizens for the future with a global outlook capable of serving the nation of their choice.
Stating that it was imperative to evolve a science, technology, innovation and eco-system incorporating the vision and challenges of the nation, Dr. Kalam said that these areas of activity were closely inter-related with public policy for mutual benefit and progress of humanity.
That link has to be solidly built through research oriented university education, he said.
Priority sector
In the mission of transforming India into a developed nation, sectors such as agriculture and food processing, education and healthcare, information and communication technology, infrastructure and power and self reliance in critical technologies where India has displayed core competency for integrated action must be furthered, Dr. Kalam said.
SASTRA Vice-Chancellor R. Sethuraman informed that the varsity has adopted 100 children orphaned by the natural disaster that struck Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and the first batch of 40 children have been admitted to schools in Rishikesh and the SASTRA University would take care of their academic and economic needs.
Deans S. Vaidhyasubramaniam and S. Swaminathan spoke.
