Industry should set up innovation centres: CNR Rao

Bangalore, June 15 (UNI) Noted scientist C N R Rao today appealed to the Industry to set up a billion-dollar private university which would help Indian students to excel in innovation.

Speaking at the third India Innovation Summit-2007, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, he said innovation was a way of life and humans were innovative by instinct. But it was not the case in India now as students were more bothered about the academics and loosing out on their innovative instincts due to study pressure.

''The industry, instead of criticising the government for lack of infrastructure in education, should build a billion dollar Institute and compete with institutions like IISc or IITs. By this we can bring out more innovations in science and technology,'' he said.

He was critical of competitive examinations for admissions in the institutions like IISc or IIT as it only tested the candidate's ability rather than his or her creativity or innovative quotient.

''The students are exhausted by the time they take the exams. This was not the case when I studied in IIT Kanpur,'' he said.

He, however, said despite limitations India had all the potential to become the Innovation and Knowledge capital of the world. Innovation was required for a long term future and India could give the world the best talent and innovative minds for global growth as 65 per cent of the population was under the age of 35. India had the edge to be the youngest country in the world, he said. MORE UNI