Stating that India’s scientific future rests in the hands of its young researchers, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Thursday told graduating students at the 15th Convocation of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) that he could see “hundreds of Homi Bhabhas” before him, urging them to harness science and innovation to address national and global challenges.
“The great scientist Homi Bhabha may no longer be with us, but today I see hundreds of Homi Bhabhas sitting before me.” He commended NISER for its contribution not only to scientific research but also to national security and sustainable development”, chief guest Radhakrishnan said addressing the convocation.
Highlighting the challenges posed by climate change and emerging health crises, the Vice-President said science offers the most sustainable solutions to global problems. Scientific excellence, he said, is no longer a choice but the cornerstone of national progress.
He called upon the graduates to nurture their curiosity, embrace environmentally sustainable technologies and use their knowledge to improve the lives of people.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati told the graduates that they were taking on a greater responsibility towards society along with their academic degrees. Science, he said, remains the most effective tool for addressing the world’s pressing challenges.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the graduating students would play a pivotal role in strengthening scientific research and nation-building. Stressing that science and technology are the bedrock of a prosperous nation, he urged young researchers to apply their knowledge to solve grassroots-level problems. He also praised NISER for earning national and international recognition for excellence in teaching and research.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described NISER as a unique institution and said it was a matter of pride for Odisha that the campus had been visited in quick succession by President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and now the Vice President. He also noted with satisfaction that women now constitute nearly 40 per cent of NISER’s STEM student strength.
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said receiving degrees in the presence of the Vice President would remain a lifelong memory for the graduates, adding that the convocation marked not just the conferment of degrees but the passing on of a legacy of scientific service to the next generation.
Department of Atomic Energy Secretary Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, NISER Director Prof. Hirendra Nath Ghosh and members of the institute’s Board of Governors also attended the ceremony.