Innovation must be central idea in our education system: DST secy
Innovation must be the central idea in India's education system to spur rapid growth and development in the country, said Abhay Karandikar, the secretary of the Centre's department of science and technology.
He was speaking at the convocation ceremony of BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa campus, on Sunday.
Karandikar said govt launched initiatives such as
StartUp India
in 2016 to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
Citing the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) as one of the world's largest digital payment systems, Karandikar emphasised the role of technology and innovative research in improving people's quality of life and contributing to the country's economic infrastructure.
'We are now witnessing the emergence of the third wave of innovation in the country. Young innovators are providing solutions to IT, electronics, manufacturing, space, and defence sectors,' he said.
While talking about India's position as the third-largest startup ecosystem, he said that many startups have been conceptualised by the alumni of the BITS Pilani ecosphere.
'Institutions like BITS Pilani are at the forefront of shaping a research-driven, innovation-led future for India,' Karandikar said.
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'As graduates of this esteemed institution, you carry the responsibility to not only excel in your careers but also to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.'
Degrees were awarded to 968 students across BE, MSc, ME, and PhD programmes on Sunday. The medal winners from the bachelor's degree programmes were Ashman Mehra (gold), Soham Amit Walimbe (silver), and Arnav Goyal (bronze).
'You are equipped not just with technical knowledge, but with values, resilience, and a spirit of innovation.
Go forth and be the architects of change, because true success lies in the positive difference you create in the world around you,' said Prof V Ramgopal Rao, the vice-chancellor of BITS Pilani.
The Goa campus awarded PhD degrees to 48 women, making up 46.3% of the doctoral graduates, a record high in the institute's history.
Prof Suman Kundu, the director of the KK Birla Goa campus, said the institute recorded 179 patent filings and 13 technology transfers in the past year alone.
Karandikar inaugurated a device lab and two cleanrooms (contamination-resistant facilities) as part of the BITS BioCyTiH Foundation, the technology hub at BITS established through a govt of India scheme.
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