Science, technology dominate, but humanity counts: K J Rao

K J Rao, professor, Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, said, science and technology are dominating the world today.

Delivering the first convocation address of St Philomena College, here, on Saturday, Rao said that great advances have been made at great speed in all fields of human activity.

“Science and technology have put a satellite around Mars. The world has virtually shrunk as we are now a highly connected society. Internet is an extraordinary tool, not only for self-education, but for liberal and essentially free education. The internet laid the foundation for knowledge society,” he noted.

The information technology also has its own danger. Hackers can get onto bank accounts, control panels of aircrafts in flight, and control codes of nuclear power plants. The results can be disastrous and that is why leaders of all the countries are getting together to fight the menace of terrorism. But, mankind has learnt to overcome all such dangerous developments. We build nuclear power plants and make atomic bombs using the same knowledge. We have lived all these 72 years after the Hiroshima catastrophe without a repeat of nuclear war, he said.

India has more than 720 universities, offering education in a variety of disciplines — Science, Arts, Commerce, Medicine, Engineering, Management, etc. The nation produces a large number of highly-educated young people. According to the Ministry of Human Resource Development, there are 30 million students in the tertiary education level and 88 per cent of them receive education in regular institutions and 12 per cent through distant education. We have more than 650 million people in the working age group, 15 to 55 years, and this is considered as a great demographic dividend, which makes India very special in terms of human resources, he said.

On the occasion, 28 students, who have secured highest marks in various subjects in undergraduate and postgraduate courses were honoured with certificates. By securing highest marks in five subjects, Aminath Shaza emerged topper in UG.

Bishop Thomas A Vazhapilly, rector Leslie Moras and principal Krishnegowda were present.