VISAKHAPATNAM: Countries devoid of natural resources have progressed solely on the strength of technological advancements made through intensive research. India, which has a strong scientific manpower in the world, aims to become the technology leader by the year 2020, said Avinash Chander, scientific advisor to the defence minister, secretary of the Defence Research and Development, and director general of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Delivering the keynote address at the fifth convocation of GITAM University here Saturday, Avinash Chander stressed that there is a need to embark and invest on some major science projects which have relevance to national needs and which will also be relevant for tomorrow’s technology. “We have developed ourselves the Geo-Synchronous Launch Vehicles, Arihant nuclear submarine, our own fighter aircraft and the ICBM AGNI-5. Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan Mission propelled us into the elite club of nations,” he added.
He felt that an investment of Rs 500 crore in different research and development projects would propel India’s growth into a technologically advanced nation.
The DRDO director general wanted Indian universities to become the breeding ground for creative pursuits and a source of cutting-edge technological developments. He called upon the students to come up with innovative ideas as new challenges are emerging in the world and said that the country has to depend on the new generation in the coming days. He also said that there would be higher research quality and better research output when industries and educational institutions come together.
“The grand challenges like renewable energy, climate change, drinking water and sanitation and other areas will have unimaginable spin-offs in terms of benefits to the common man. Local technological needs have to be addressed by our universities by creating research and development centres on their campuses,” he said and appreciated the GITAM University for giving priority to research.
Later, GITAM chancellor K Ramakrishna Rao presented the honorary doctorate (Doctor of Science) to Avinash Chander. The university also presented the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters to eminent Telugu film maker K Raghavendra Rao, Margadarsi Chit Fund managing director Ch Sailaja Kiron and noted Telugu film lyricist Suddala Ashok Teja.
University vice-chancellor G Subrahmanyam presented the annual report of the university which has 1,000 faculty members, 16,000 students and 800 research scholars.
Registrar M Potharaju, pro vice-chancellor D Harinarayana and senior faculty members participated in the convocation procession.