Engineers urged to help resolve rural problems

Mumbai: President Pratibha Patil yesterday expressed the confidence that graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), considered some of the best brains in the country, will contribute towards making India a global leader in the knowledge-based society of the 21st century.

Patil was addressing the graduates at the 46th convocation of IIT Bombay, which is celebrating its golden jubilee this year.

The president reminded the engineers emerging out of the institute that technology and its application must reach a broad section of the society, particularly the majority who live in the villages.

"We must not forget that we survive because of our farmers. However, our farmers are affected by floods, drought, pests, lack of infrastructure and low yields as compared to the rest of the world," she said.

IIT engineers have a duty to the nation to produce cutting edge solutions for problems that the rural communities face, she said.

Inclusive approach

This year, IIT conferred 1,569 degrees - the most in the history of the Institute - to candidates at various levels.

On an average, the institute admits over 600 candidates for the undergraduate programme through joint entrance exam, 100 candidates for its M.Sc. programme, 550 candidates for other postgraduate courses and 200 for doctorate programmes every year.

The degree of doctor of science (honoris causa) was conferred upon Tata group chairman Ratan Tata in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of Indian industry.

Engineers and scientists should follow an inclusive approach in spreading the benefits of technology, she said.

She said she is glad that the IIT undertakes distance education programmes and provide engineering courses to students and working professionals through live transmissions and web-based interactive courses.

Steady increase

"I am also glad that IIT has been handling a steady increase in requests from industry for tailor-made courses," she added.

She also believed that with the security in the country needing better equipment and technology to fight terrorism and crime, the course on the "Role of Technology in Crime and Crime Prevention" is apt and needs to be strengthened further.

Patil told the graduates that it was essential to come up with efficient technologies to meet the energy needs of the nation as well as environment- friendly technologies that lower green house gas emission levels.

"Finding new options and cost-effective solutions for growth require that our scientists and researchers stay one step ahead rather than catch-up with the latest technologies." The country required highly skilled manpower - engineers, scientists and researchers - to transform the landscape of India.