Let Mysuru become startup laboratory: Former chairman of ISRO

Mysuru: Former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) S Somanath suggested that Mysuru should become a startup laboratory of India.

Delivering the convocation address during the 106th convocation of the University of Mysore (UoM), he emphasised that Mysuru city's educational sector must align itself with the industry, the government, and the civil society.

Stressing on the importance of research, Somanath said, “The university must prioritise research. India’s technology should be developed to a global standard”.

Advising the graduates to tackle major global challenges, Somanath said, “Climate change, economic instability, and security issues are significant challenges. Every student, who becomes a teacher, engineer, scientist, or artist, must solve the problems in their respective field. Calculation of personal gain should not be important. Instead, the progress of the community and the nation must be the priority”.

Somanath praised ISRO's achievements through Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya-L1, noting that, “Scientists and technologists are shaped within universities. The UoM, established through the foresight of Maharaja Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Dewan Sir M Visvesvaraya, was aimed at shaping the state and expanding the country's potential”.

He called for the development of the country's technology across a wide spectrum, from space to semiconductors, from biotechnology to clean energy production, and said, “There is a need for achievement in emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, Brain Computers, and Synthetic Biology. The graduates must identify their role in all sectors, including food, medicine, healthcare, and IT, and focus on those areas. The spirit should be that 'We are not competitors, but companions’. Everyone should celebrate their contributions, just as everyone unites in the celebration of Mysuru Dasara”.

Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot presented the medals and cash prizes to the graduates. Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar, Vice-Chancellor N K Lokanath, Registrar M K Savitha, and Registrar (Evaluation) N Nagaraju were present.