PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES THE ANNUAL CONVOCATION OF IIT ROORKEE, SAYS IN THE LONG-TERM, OUR SUCCESS LIES IN DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF ENTERPRISE AND IDEAS

Rashtrapati Bhavan : 04.10.2019

The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the annual convocation of IIT Roorkee in Roorkee, Uttarakhand today (October 4, 2019).

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that institutions such as IIT Roorkee are not just centres of education. They are also hubs of innovation and creative ideas. And it is research, innovation and creative ideas that will help us achieve our national goals as well as address the larger concerns confronting humanity today. He said that in the long-term, our success lies in developing a culture of enterprise and ideas. We must nurture innovation and creativity. He was happy to note that IIT Roorkee is doing just that. The TIDES Business Incubator in IIT Roorkee supports start-ups and early-stage companies working on emerging technologies. Creative thinking on campus has been encouraged by doing away with hierarchy among academics and by giving students a representation in academic bodies and decision-making.

The President pointed out that presently, the proportion of girl students in our scientific and technical institutes is lower than desirable. He said that we have to take necessary steps to improve the enrolment of our girl students in scientific and technical institutes of higher learning. When this happens, our scientific achievements will become even more wholesome and desirable.

The President said that during the Governors’ Conference in June 2018, he had suggested that Universities could consider adopting ‘Universities Social Responsibility’ (USR). He was happy to note that students of IIT Roorkee actively participate in community work. They had identified five villages in Uttarakhand and work with the villagers to address their problems related to water management, sanitation, skill development, etc. Also, as part of ‘Swachhta Hee Seva’ campaign, students from this institution participated in a ‘Ganga Cleaning Drive’ at Ganga Ghat in Haridwar and Roorkee. He said that with such initiatives students of IIT Roorkee are putting USR into action.