Pune, Agency
Students must go beyond conventional academic boundaries and embrace multidisciplinary education, innovation, critical thinking, skills and ethical values to prepare for emerging challenges, Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said on Wednesday.
Addressing the 11th Vidyarambh-26 ceremony at MIT Art, Design and Technology University (MIT-ADT) at Loni Kalbhor, Varma said rapid advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies were transforming every sector.
Technology without ethics, values and compassion can become destructive, he said, stressing that science must be used for human welfare and not for the destruction of humanity.
Varma urged universities to strengthen partnerships with industry, international collaborations, incubation centres and startup ecosystems.
He also called for greater efforts to convert research, particularly in agricultural universities, into practical and socially relevant solutions. Universities, he said, should consider adopting villages and contributing to their inclusive and sustainable development.
Describing Vidyarambh as more than an orientation programme, Varma said India’s young population represented a major demographic strength. Students should adopt modern technology and global best practices while remaining connected to India’s civilisational values and knowledge traditions.
Former Maharashtra additional director general of police J D Lakshminarayan and Central University of Rajasthan vice-chancellor Dr Anand Bhalerao also addressed the students.
MIT-ADT University’s executive chairman and pro-chancellor Prof Dr Mangesh Karad outlined the university’s academic journey, initiatives and future goals and urged students to focus on innovation and research.
During the ceremony, the National Garima Awards were presented to Bhalerao, Maharashtra higher education department director Dr Shailendra Deolankar and MIT-ADT registrar Dr Mahesh Chopde for their contribution to education.
MIT-ADT Chancellor Dr Vishwanath D Karad said the institution aimed to create responsible citizens by integrating modern education with Indian culture, values, science, technology and innovation.
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