: Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari said here on Saturday that the country needed a strong emphasis on teaching and research in basic science.
Speaking after inaugurating the JSS Science and Technology University and unveiling the plaque of its administrative block in the city, Mr. Ansari said, “No national scientific enterprise can be sustainable in the long term if it does not contain generous room for curiosity-driven research.”
However, he noted a regressive trend since the past few years in the universities with science losing out to other disciplines, mainly professional courses. He said universities had become mere teaching centres and research was being ignored.
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He said India was recognised as an Information Technology hub but it was equally important for the country to be a science innovation hub to achieve technological self-sufficiency and conceive local solutions to India’s problems like poverty, agricultural productivity, water conservation and climate change.
“Our failure to develop manufacturing capabilities in critical segments of the defence industry is case in point,” said Mr. Ansari pointing out that even the Light Combat Aircraft — Tejas— was equipped with an engine manufactured by the General Electric of the U.S.
He said despite achievements in many fields there is little evidence of scientific temper in noticeable segments of Indian society, including the elite, as irrational beliefs and practices persists. “It is not without significance that today we have a large number of faith-oriented television channels but not a single Indian science channel,” he said.
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“What is paradoxical is that after much effort to inculcate rational outlook among citizens, we find that even scientists who practice science, do not necessarily possess a scientific temper,” Mr. Ansari added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the inauguration of the new university as a milestone in the annals of JSS Mahavidyapeetha and the State and assured all assistance to foster its growth.
Karnataka was making rapid strides in the field of science and technology and the new IIT at Dharwad to be inaugurated on July 31 is another feather in the cap of the State in fostering science and technology, Mr. Siddaramaiah said.
Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE), which was accorded university status by the government, will continue to offer its undergraduate courses in 12 disciplines of engineering besides taking up research in select areas.
Governor Vajubhai Vala, Suttur seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami, B.G. Sangameshwar, Vice- Chancellor, Syed Shakibur Rahman, Principal, elected representatives, faculty and students of SJCE were among those present on the occasion.