Rourkela, April 17: Students and faculty members of the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) should devote time and resources to produce outcomes at par with international standards, said University Grants Commission chairman Ved Prakash.
Prakash was addressing the varsity's seventh convocation here today when he said: "There is no substitute to quality research work and as a university, it is the foremost duty of you all to do serious research. The curricula should be developed in a matter where each individual will get involved to find something."
He said there was no replacement for hard work and it could remove any deficiency from an individual's life. "There is no shortcut to success; it is always a long and tedious journey where you need to have more patience," he said.
However, he also cautioned against success going to the head, urging students to "have the ability to honour individual dignity and compassion for others".
The academic stressed on the need for quality research to create knowledge. He added that every convocation should be treated as a stepping stone for the next 365 days and "you must have a calendar ready for the next achievement, then only will a university prosper and go to the next level".
He urged all BPUT stakeholders to prepare the students as entrepreneurs and job creators instead of job seekers.
Chancellor and governor S.C. Jamir, in his speech, lauded the varsity's efforts and urged everyone to take the university to the next stage. "I have been deeply moved by the improvement technology has brought to people's lives. Technology makes people feel empowered when they use their cell phones to fight for social issues," said Jamir.
Earlier, vice-chancellor Shyam Sunder Pattnaik presented a detailed report of the past year. Among the noteworthy achievements, he stressed on "academic integration with the industry. This was one of the goals set by the university which has a direct impact on society".
BPUT and Tech Mahindra's Centre for Innovation was an outcome of this integration where PhD and MTech students would get the opportunity to work on industry problems. The BPUT was trying to build foundation through re-designing curriculum. "The university strongly believes in quality research. A university without good research work is like a tree without roots," Pattnaik said.
This year, 51 undergraduate and postgraduate students received gold medals for academic excellence. Besides, seven technical and one management research scholars received their PhD degrees. Payal Mishra, the gold medallist for 2014-15, of Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang, took the pledge on behalf of all the students.
She said: "I am elated. I am interested in research and will join an institute of repute to pursue my dreams."
