APJ Abdul Kalam stresses on R&D in educational institutions

Educational institutions should concentrate on research and development as quality research was fundamental for the sustainable growth of any country, former president APJ Abdul Kalam has said.

“The quality of an educational institution is being judged based on its Research and Development. Research is fundamental for the growth of any country,” he said inaugurating the aeronautical block at the Bannariamman Institute of Technology at Aalathukombai, 80 KM from here, last evening.

He wanted the teachers to encourage the students to take up quality research.

"The foundation of research is creativity and innovativeness and creativity will be the key for India’s emergence as a developed nation in this knowledge economy," the missile scientist said.

He said agriculture and food processing, automobiles, ship building, information and communications fields offered good opportunities for the youths and they should make use of them.

He also said solar and atomic energy would be the solution to meet the electricity demand in future.

Later interacting with the students, he wanted them to develop their communication skills and focus on research oriented programmes.