Madurai: Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosiah on Wednesday presented PhD degrees to the students of the Madurai Kamaraj
University here at its convocation here.
Dr G Padmanabhan, former director and Honourary Professor
of Indian Institute of Science/ NASI-Platinum Jubilee chair,
in his speech said only two dozen universities out of 600 in
Tamil Nadu were contributing to worthwhile research.
Only Central universities were in a much better position as
regards to funding and infrastructure, he said.
He said even the best Indian universities figured between
200-300 in international ranking. He said efforts should be
made to convert Research and Development into products useful
for society.
He said universities should take steps to mentor the
students and set up a counselling centre to help them beyond
their courses and projects. Universities should also
collaborate with several groups at the international
level.
"We need to break the barriers and go beyond our own small
groups to reach out to collaborators, including industry to
attack major problems facing the society through R and D.
T S Sridhar Additional Chief Secretary Government,
Department of Higher Education, said the University
got research grants from various funding agencies to the tune
of Rs 202 crore.
PTI
