Graduation Day of PSG College
Managing Trustee of PSG and Sons Charities G. Rangaswamy (second left) presents a medal to S.Priyadarshini, a rank holder in the MSW course, at the Graduation Day of the PSG College of Arts and Science in Coimbatore on Friday. Chief Controller of DRDO W. Selvamurthy (left) and the Principal of the college Sheela Ramachandran (third left) are also seen. Though India could not take a lead role in the industrial revolution, it is making up for it in the new knowledge era (2000 – 2050) by creating a tangible impact and drawing global attention, said W. Selvamurthy, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Controller (Life Sciences and Human Resources), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), here on Friday.
Delivering the 22nd convocation address at the PSG College of Arts and Science, he said India held a strong position in terms of economy and defence too that were hallmarks of a powerful nation.“India is the fourth largest growing economy in the world and will attain the third slot by 2035. It is also getting stronger in terms of military power because of the presence of 1.4 million motivated Armed Forces and advanced weapon technologies. DRDO is making its own contribution in making the Armed Forces self-reliant. We have our own strategic defence and nuclear power, and are involved in modernising and indigenising them,” Mr. Selvamurthy said.
He pointed out that millions of world-class engineering, business and medical graduates from India were taking leading roles in the development of world economy. “The knowledge revolution is already swelling the ranks of the country’s middle class. However, to sustain the pace of the knowledge era, India needs more schools and colleges. Existing institutions will have to double their annual intake,” he added.
He called for an overhaul of the higher education system to educate much larger numbers without diluting academic standards. The objectives of reform must be expansion, excellence and inclusion, he asserted. Making a mention of the Centre of Life Sciences that has been set up at Bharathiar University in collaboration with DRDO, he said more such partnerships should be made with institutions to “make them extended arms of the DRDO”.
“Expansion of higher education is not possible without enhanced levels of financing. Enhancement of public-private partnerships is essential because it is difficult to stretch public resources beyond a point. However, Central and State Governments should consider routing rural and economic development projects through educational institutions for effective utilisation of the resources,” the scientist said.He urged colleges to adopt clusters of colleges to enable students to visit and work there. The role of education should be viewed from the perspective of nation building. Science should not be seen as an exclusively intellectual pursuit but as relevant to the economy and society, he asserted.
“Our nation is all set to play a significant role in the present new knowledge era. I give a clarion call to all to join the mission by giving their best in nation building to auger well for the leadership era that follows the new knowledge era,” exhorted Mr. Selvamurthy.He handed over degree certificates to 938 candidates in the presence of G. Rangaswamy, Managing Trustee of PSG and Sons Charities, and Sheela Ramachandran, Principal of the college.
