Need to build potential of youngsters, says IIT-M director

SVCE alumni awards ceremony recognises high achievers and emphasises the importance of education in rural areas.

For India to become a developed nation, it is necessary to build the potential of the country’s young human capital, said V. Kamakoti, director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M).

“The country’s gross enrolment ratio is currently 27.2%. Of every 100 children, 72 do not come to college,” he remarked, adding that the institute had launched a portal Vidya Shakti to cater to children in the remote areas.

Mr. Kamakoti was speaking at the first annual alumni awards ceremony of Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering here on Sunday. He was presented the lifetime achievement award by college chairman A.C. Muthiah.

“We need to bring changes. We need to catch them young. All of you will have some connection in a village. Identify a village and bring the children to Vidya Shakti,” he told the college alumni association that had organised the event.

At present, there are 2,500 centres. India has over 1.55 lakh post offices and as many centres of Vidya Shakti must be established to cater to the educational needs of children in rural and remote areas, he says.

Mr. Kamakoti recalled his college days with nostalgia and credited his strong foundation in engineering, mathematics, physics and chemistry to his teachers.

Mr. Muthiah, who distributed the nation builder awards, said alumni association instituted awards are an inspiration to the younger generation. The association honoured its high achievers in several categories — including high achievers, entrepreneurs, persons who had excelled in their profession, nation builders, research and academics and promising young alumni.