Sambalpur, Nov. 24: Governor S.C. Jamir today urged students to focus on research-based education.

"Research is an essential component of the university education system to ensure it remains vibrant," said chancellor Jamir while addressing the 7th annual convocation of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) at Burla on Tuesday.

He appealed to the graduating students of VSSUT to bring positive difference in the lives of those around them and build a technologically stronger nation.

"As our world becomes smaller, your education and knowledge will help you become key contributors as our next generation of professional and leaders," Jamir said.

Former member of UPSC, Professor Y. Venkatarami Reddy, who delivered the convocation address, said, in India, higher education institution in general and technical education institution in particular lacked orientation towards research, as a result of which, their standing amongst the top global institution is not very high.

"Teaching and research are two eyes of a university. While high standard of teaching has to be achieved, high quality research will push the knowledge frontier. Researchers have to cooperate with one another to find solutions to critical problems," Reddy said.

Reddy also laid thrust on the need to have competent faculties. "If the university's faculty members are competent and comfortable with technologies, the university will have remarkable success," Reddy said.

"The quality of higher education faculty should be improved by using the leading institutions as training centres for other faculties," he said.

He also stressed on the need to update working condition and academic freedom for the faculties.

The university today conferred degrees on 721 students at the convocation. Moreover, 12 students received gold and 18 silver medals on the occasion. Vice-chancellor of VSSUT E. Saibaba Reddy delivered the welcome address.