Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan said to graduates in Chennai that research achieves its highest purpose when it serves society.
The address emphasizes the role of academic innovation in national development, linking scientific achievement to the practical improvement of citizens' lives.
Speaking Sunday at the 22nd convocation of the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Radhakrishnan addressed 11,684 graduates [1]. He said the new professionals should apply their knowledge toward national progress while upholding constitutional values and respecting diversity.
Radhakrishnan highlighted India's contributions to global health, specifically praising the nation's efforts regarding COVID-19 vaccines. He said such achievements demonstrate how technical expertise can address urgent human needs.
The Vice-President also spoke on the scale of India's current educational infrastructure. He said India now has more than 1,425 universities, 54,000 colleges, and 16,850 standalone institutions [2]. This growth in academic capacity provides a foundation for future advancements in fields like AI and quantum technologies.
Beyond technical skill, the Vice-President emphasized the ethical obligations of the graduating class. He said the students should make "Nation First" their guide [3] as they enter the workforce.
He said that respecting diversity and adhering to constitutional principles are essential for maintaining social cohesion. By combining these values with a commitment to research, he said, graduates can contribute meaningfully to the country's future.
“Research achieves its highest purpose when it serves society.”
The Vice-President's remarks signal a push to align India's expanding higher education sector with state-led goals for social utility and national identity. By linking the growth of thousands of new institutions to the necessity of 'Nation First' values, the government is encouraging a shift from purely academic or commercial research toward innovation that solves specific domestic societal challenges.
