Guv urges BPUT students to be innovative, self-reliant ---SAIL chief C S Verma stresses on strengthening ‘Intellectual Capital’

Rourkela: With India emerging as a global power, students should be self-reliant, innovative and need to contribute significantly to the growth of the nation. This is what Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare urged the students of BPUT while addressing its fifth convocation ceremony held at Civic Centre here today.

Bhandare also observed that “Never let the rudder of your ship which very much defines your career to be steered in a wrong direction.” Recalling the works of the legendary leader Biju Patnaik, after which the university has been named, the Governor wanted the students to be proud of being the citizens of a nation that is on the fast track of progress.

Terming the former chief minister Biju Patnaik as a charismatic leader, Bhandare said the BPUT named after the leader is striving hard to realize his dream. He recalled the contribution that Biju Babu made for the Rourkela Steel Plant, of which Rourkela boasts.

While awarding the gold medal to the girl students for their academic excellence, the Governor was all praise for them. “I am happy to note that our girls are doing very well and they have outnumbered boys in winning gold medals that speaks of their academic excellence”, he added. As many as 19 girl students got gold medals out of 33.

SAIL Chairman C S Verma stressed the need for improving the quality of human resources and consolidating the ‘Intellectual Capital’. Verma said, “The power of knowledge has acquired new significance. India as a knowledge hub with a large number of English speaking technical graduates passing out is ready to meet the challenges,” Verma told students at the fifth convocation of the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) here.

Highlighting the importance of technology, Verma said research and development provides a country the advantage to build its future. “We are living in an era of R & D and continuous innovation and that is where we need to make our presence felt,” he said. “Despite the global slowdown, we need to appreciate that we are living in very exciting times. The world has shrunk as never before,” he said.

On industrial units in the public sector, he said PSUs played a prominent role in industrialization and economic development of the country with strategic and commanding role in nation building.

Stating that India was the second fastest growing economy amongst BRIC nations after China, he said many doors remain opened for technical graduates to excel.

“You are entering into an environment which though challenging is at the same time full of opportunities,” he told the students.

Vice Chancellor, BPUT Prof. J K Satpathy read out the annual reports of the University.

As many as six students were awarded with PhD degree, including one from Science and other two from Engineering. 24 students of different branches were felicitated with gold medal for the session 2009-10 and 2010-11.