Chennai: Urging graduating engineers to innovate for upliftment, India’s former department of science and technology secretary T Ramasami said affordable innovation is more crucial than the purpose of achieving the number-one position.“Tamil Nadu has emerged as a leader in research and development, as measured by the number of publications in peer-reviewed journals. Of them, 61% of the publications came from the universities in the state. That’s a global benchmark,” Ramasami said while speaking at the VIT Chennai’s 14th annual convocation on Sunday.He further said institutions like VIT leading the movement connecting higher education to advanced research.Pointing out that India’s GDP was 28% in 1750, Ramasami said it was reduced to 0.1% in 1947. “We need to return to the position of global leadership. It could be realised only when your generation thinks beyond the immediate and reclaims global leadership as a civilisation. With 29% of the world’s youth power in the country, we have sufficient energy and ability to shape a new world,” he added.Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited (BCCL) chief operating officer (publishing) Mohit Jain, who was the guest of honour at the convocation, urged the students to have a 10X mindset.He asked students to focus on areas such as clean energy, climate change, affordable healthcare, and water mobility, which are yet to be reimagined.On career advice, Mohit Jain asked students to pursue happiness, not merely success. “One day, much sooner than you imagine, your career will be behind you. I don’t think you remember every target you achieve or every promotion you receive. But you remember the people around you. While you are busy building the future, don’t forget the people waiting for you in the present. Success is an achievement and happiness is a way of living.”VIT chancellor G Viswanathan said expansion of higher education had not kept pace with that of developed nations.As many as 4,518 students received their UG, PG and PhDs at the convocation.Sri Lankan deputy high commissioner Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, VIT vice-presidents G V Selvam, Sekar Viswanathan, Sankar Viswanathan and vice-chancellor V S Kanchana Bhaaskaran took part in the event.
