I am happy to be here today for the special
convocation of the University of Mumbai, which is one of the first three
universities to be set up in India. This historic institution is a beacon of
knowledge and scholarship. It has produced illustrious individuals in all
fields. Amongst its alumni are several tall leaders of our freedom movement
including Mahatma Gandhi; reformers; scientists, academicians; industrialists;
legal luminaries, artistes; and public servants. The students of this
university constitute as well as contribute to its continuing heritage of
excellence. A degree from this institution is a privilege, which only the
bright and the talented earn through their hard work and application of mind.
Ladies and gentlemen:
2. This university through the conferment of Honorary D. Litt has always recognized leaders who have played a transformational
role in various fields. It
includes eminent scholars and social reformers like Sir R.G. Bhandarkar,
Dadabhai Naoroji, Sir C.V. Raman and Sir M. Visvesvaraya. It is a proud moment for
me today to have conferred the Honorary D. Litt upon one of India’s greatest
scientists, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. I have known Dr. Swaminathan as well as
closely interacted with him on issues of national importance, on many occasions
during the past five decades. His work brought about a sea-change in the life
of our nation. It is due to his pioneering efforts that our country transformed
from its status of ship-to-mouth existence to one of the leading producers and
exporters of food grains in the world.
3. Over a period of 65 years, Dr. Swaminathan has worked in
collaboration with scientists and policy-makers on a wide range of problems in
basic and applied plant genetics and agricultural R&D. Among his important
contributions include: conservation of plant genetic resources and
biodiversity; identification of barriers to high yields; modification of genes
to improve yield, quality and stability of crops; identification of cytotoxic
agents in irradiated food material and demonstration of indirect effects of
radiations; organization of Lab-to-Land programmes, and management of drought. He
has always been complimented upon as a global scientist of
rare distinction because of the indelible mark he has made on food production
in India and elsewhere in the developing world. His advocacy of sustainable
agriculture leading to an ever-green revolution makes him an acknowledged world
leader in the field of sustainable food security. For his visionary work,
Dr. Swaminathan has been bestowed upon important national and
international awards.
Ladies
and gentlemen:
4. The twenty-first century is expected to be an ‘Asian century’ with
the Asian countries regaining their pre-eminence in the world through all-round
development. The post Eighties’ performance of the Asian economies is a symbol
of this Asian resurgence. One of the important elements that has guided in this
journey is education and new knowledge.
5. Economies that have performed beyond the traditional growth
sectors are the knowledge economies. It is knowledge that has driven and will
drive growth and development in the years ahead. In this scenario, the
institutions of higher learning and their linkages with counterparts in other
parts of the world are of critical importance. India with its historic seats of
learning like Nalanda or Takshashila stood not merely for quality education but
also for global co-operation.
6. The higher education sector has a crucial role in the national
developmental effort. Being the storehouse of traditional wisdom, as also the
nursery of new knowledge, the higher education eco-system will influence the
various growth centres of the economy.
Ladies and gentlemen:
7. Growth of the economy depends on higher education in important
ways. The quality of training provided to students employed by the economy
determines the level of its competence. Induction of quality manpower is the
first point of contact that the economy has with the higher education system.
The graduates have to meet the skill-set requirements of the domestic economy.
The course work in our campuses must be aligned to the needs of the industry.
It will be beneficial to have corporate experts advising academic managers on
industrial requirements in the course curricula.
8. A vast quantum of knowledge is created in the
tertiary education system through research. They find application in society
through industrial and other sectors. A robust industrial linkage, according to
me, provides an efficient mechanism for transfer of knowledge from the higher
education system to the economic system.
Ladies and gentlemen:
9. Industry-academia collaborations have focused mainly on
conferences, training of industrial employees, internship of students, adjunct
faculty positions for industry experts, and transfer of academically created
intellectual property to business enterprises through licensing. While these
are important, the industry-academia interface must also focus on high
intensity linkages like research partnerships, shared incubators and research
parks. A strong relationship between an institution of higher learning and an
industrial enterprise can spur further expansion of the spheres of
collaboration.
10. I am pleased to note that the University of Mumbai
has taken a holistic view in this connection. Not only is it developing newer
programmes which will prepare its students to face the challenges of the
changing economy; it is also investing in creating an eco-system conducive to
basic research and to incubate innovation. The vision of the Vice-Chancellor,
Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh, to prepare the Master Plan of the University for its
infrastructural and R&D make-over, is noteworthy. Looking at the
initiatives the university has undertaken in its 160th year
– be it the establishment of the Centre for Railway Research; or the Film and
Media Entertainment Training academy; or its programmes in sports management,
aviation, leadership development, or fire-fighting; or successfully aligning
itself to the government initiatives like ‘Skill India’, ‘Digital
India’and ‘Make in India’, - it is poised to partner effectively in
the nation’s developmental effort.
11. Great educational institutions require good faculty and
administrators. University of Mumbai has been historically able to attract and
recruit outstanding teachers, students and work force. Its ability to impart
organized knowledge in a systematic manner for so many years has been because
of the presence of leading scholars of their time as faculty, and as a dynamic
student community.
Ladies and gentlemen:
12. Ancient India
was known for the high level of philosophical debate and discussion it
nurtured. India was not a mere geographical expression but it reflected an idea
and a culture. Conversation and dialogue are part of our ethos and life. They
cannot be done away with. Universities and higher education institutions are
the best fora for free exchange of views.
13. Mahatma
Gandhi had said and I quote: “I do not want my house to be walled in on all
sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be
blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my
feet by any” (unquote). We should embrace free conversation and even
argument, leaving behind narrow mindsets and thoughts. The lesson for a modern
Indian university is to ensure that this great tradition finds new life and
vigour within its precincts. There should be no room for intolerance, prejudice
and hatred within the spaces of our educational institutions. They must act as
flag bearers for the co-existence of multiple views, thoughts and philosophies.
Ladies and gentlemen:
14. A good education system is one that can help
develop social responsiveness in students. Ways should be devised to integrate
student engagement with society in the academic framework. For instance, higher
level students can be assigned to teach in government schools located nearby.
Students can also be deployed to undertake community-based projects. They can
identify problems and involve themselves in research to find solutions.
Measures like these would mould students into confident and purposeful human
beings who can, through their conviction and own example, inspire others. I call upon the faculty
and students to internalise the values of selfless service and service before
self, and instil them in everyone whose lives they touch.
15.
With these words, I conclude. I express my gratitude for being given this rare
opportunity to confer the Honorary D. Litt. of University of Mumbai to Dr. M.S.
Swaminathan. Wishing you all success in your endeavours!
Thank you.
Jai Hind.
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AKT/HS/VK