While addressing the annual convocation of the Patna University, The Former ex-President of India Pranab Mukherjee expressed his concern over the need for creating a conducive atmosphere for motivating the bright minds towards teaching, research, and innovation.
“There are 767 universities in the country and is expanding. There is a huge development of physical infrastructure in higher education. But I regret to point out that the quality of education, which we are providing in our institutions of higher education, are not up to the world standard,” Mr. Mukherjee said.
“We will have to create a conducive atmosphere in which the brightest of the bright come to the teaching, research, and innovation. Our future progress will depend increasingly on our ability to innovate, to devise efficient processes for the industrial sector and better solutions for governance,” he said.
Stating that IIT graduates will be found at top places in international organizations, he said they were not required to advance promotion of product of the mercantile company. He asked, “How many of them (IITians) are engaged in teaching and basic research?”
He also mentioned his arrival back in 1984 as finance minister to participate in PU’s convocation ceremony.
“I can say without a doubt that Patna University as a collective has played a significant role in the spread of education, especially higher education, research, and innovation,” he said.
He also mentioned a few successful alumni from the Patna University namely Dr. Sachidanand Sinha, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and Dr. B C Roy.
Speaking of the growth of the eastern region he mentioned a KPMG report that said Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam are expected to contribute at least 25 percent of the country’s GDP by 2035.
Mr. Mukherjee gave away Gold medals and degrees to 38 toppers of various subjects besides giving Ph.D. degrees to 54 research scholars.