Educational Institutions Must Act as Intellectual Laboratories for Nation-Building: President Murmu

Jamshedpur, December 29: President of India Droupadi Murmu today graced the convocation ceremony of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jamshedpur, in Jharkhand, and highlighted the evolving role of educational institutions in nation-building.

Addressing students, faculty members, and dignitaries, the President said that educational institutions are not merely centers for providing education and degrees, but are also major centers of research and the “intellectual laboratories” of the nation. She emphasized that it is within such institutions that the vision for India’s future takes shape.

Referring to the rapid pace of technological change, President Murmu said that while modern technologies are creating unprecedented opportunities, they are also posing new challenges. Technological advancements are transforming sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, communication, and energy production. However, she cautioned that misuse of technology has led to rising cybercrime and environmental concerns, particularly e-waste.

The President noted that premier institutions like NIT Jamshedpur have a critical role to play in addressing these challenges. She stressed that such institutions should not only develop solutions but also collaborate with industries and other academic institutions to ensure that innovations are sustainable and beneficial to society.

Highlighting the responsibilities of engineers, President Murmu said that graduates from NITs must act as nation-builders who harness technology for human welfare. She underlined that the reputation of higher educational institutions should not be measured solely by rankings or placement records, but also by the contributions made by their students and faculty to society and national development.

Speaking about India’s long-term vision, the President said that the goal of building Viksit Bharat by 2047 can be achieved through strong emphasis on research, innovation, startup culture, and skill development among the youth. She stated that institutions like NITs must further strengthen their focus on research and innovation, which will help India emerge as a global Knowledge Superpower.

The President also pointed out that government initiatives have opened new opportunities for entrepreneurship in both traditional sectors and emerging areas such as defence, space, and atomic energy. She said that technologically skilled youth, including students of NIT Jamshedpur, can leverage these opportunities to generate employment for themselves and others.

Concluding her address, President Murmu said that the dream of Viksit Bharat cannot be fulfilled merely by constructing tall buildings or creating a strong economy. True development, she said, lies in building an inclusive society where even the weakest sections have equal opportunities and live with dignity. She reminded students that education and knowledge are meaningful only when their benefits reach the common people, adding that “innovation without compassion creates machines, but innovation driven by compassion becomes a boon for society.”