Delivering the 7th convocation address of NITK Surathkal on Wednesday, he said that students who will be passing out of NITK must become entrepreneurs and contribute to society by creating jobs and wealth for fellow citizens. “India’s strength is its young people who hold the key to its future successes as a nation,” he said.

Calling upon the students to maintain a spirit of inquiry, he asked them to think out of the box and explore new frontiers of science and technology. He said that it is increasingly being realised that creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship are the key ingredients in the recipe for sustained economic growth of a nation and hence the students as professionals must imbibe creative, innovative and entrepreneurial skills.

He said that growth in human population and globalisation is posing new challenges to the technologists. Protecting the environment and ensuring social equity are now critical issues, which must be factored into modern engineering designs.

“There is a need to redefine, restructure and reorganise our technical and engineering system and organisations so as to secure the precious natural resources of the country and ensure their sustainable utilisation. It is accepted that the major role of engineers is to apply scientific knowledge for providing infrastructual facilities. But, issues such as efficient use of resources, conservation and protection of environment, sustainable development and ensuring safety, health and welfare of the common man are also equally important while designing infrastructual systems,” he opined.

Board of Governors Chairman Prof Govardhan Mehta delivering his presidential address said that the research profile of the institute must see advancement in future and the institution must confer the award of ‘Best Innovator’ for both students as well as faculty to boost research. As many as 875 degrees were conferred and 50 PhDs were awarded during the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Sandhya Shenoy U of MSc Chemistry apart from bagging the Prof G H Kulkarni Gold Medal for the First Rank holder in her department was also applauded for scoring 10 grade points. NITK Director Prof Sandeep Sancheti, Home Minister Dr V S Acharya, heads of various departments were present.