Universities must accord highest priority to research

Chennai, May 9 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala today asked Universities to accord highest priority to research and exhorted the students to focus on higher studies.

Delivering his address at the second convocation of SRM University he said research would help widen intellectual horizons.

''Universities should be dynamic and application oriented. The expansion of knowledge in research fields is necessary for the development of a nation, which means that high priority should be given to research'', he added.

He urged all higher educational institutions to chalk out plans to have a tie-up with renowned universities across the globe for providing value-based and international level education to their students.

In this context, he lauded the SRM University for signing eight MOUs in 2006-07 alone, with universities of high repute across the globe, which would help students to gain and enhance their knowledge.

Observing that 21st century was a century of knowledge, Mr Barnala said universities should be centres of knowledge and learning. ''Increasing the level of knowledge, competency and capability in the youth is the need of the hour'', he added.

Stating that education did not end with mere graduation, the Governor reminded the students to keep updating their knowledge.

''Specialise in your field. Allot some time for your further higher studies'', he added.

In his welcome address, SRM University Vice-Chancellor Prof P Sathyanarayanan said today's convocation was special as it was held in the 4,000 capacity new state-of-the-art auditorium, which was constructed in a record time of 18 months at a cost of Rs 15 crore.

He said 1,459 graduates of SRM University and 535 graduates of Anna University received their degrees in various branches of study.

Students, who have secured 27 ranks in the Anna University and 62 ranks in SRM University in UG and PG programmes, received their medals from Mr Barnala.

He said 45 visiting faculties from 16 reputed foreign Universities like MIT, Stanford and Cargnie Mellon, had accepted to visit SRM University as teaching faculty from the ensuing academic year.

In his Presidential address, SRM University Chancellor T R Pachamuthu said the university was taking steps to maintain high standard of education and provide a platform for cross cultures.

He said an international advisory board has been constituted with about 20 members picked from the reputed academia and industries across the world.

UNI