President Smt. Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the two-day visitor conference 2024-25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on March 3, 2025. This conference brings together the heads of 184 Central Higher Education Institutions in India.
In his inaugural speech, President Murmu highlighted that the development of a nation is reflected in the quality of its education system. He emphasized the role of academic leaders in establishing India as a global knowledge center, and urged them to focus on education as well as research. The President expressed confidence that the institutes would take advantage of the National Research Fund to encourage innovation and research.
President Murmu also talked about the need to bring back their talent to India to contribute to the global influence of Indian students and to contribute to the development of the country. He urged educational institutions to promote inclusion, ensuring that all students, despite their background, have access to higher education. Additionally, he called upon educational leaders to motivate students, provide moral support and promote positive energy in campuses.
During the session, the President presented the eighth visitor awards in various categories. These awards were given for the following:
** Innovation **: Prof. For his work in Quantum Technology to support the National Green Hydrogen Mission to Sarapela Shri Krishna (Banaras Hindu University).
- ** Research in Physics **: Prof. Ashwini Kumar Nangia (University of Hyderabad) for his research in cheap, high-live-availability drugs.
- ** Research in Biological Sciences **: Prof. Reena Chakraborty (University of Delhi) and Prof. Raj Kumar (Punjab Central University) for his contribution to permanent aquatic agriculture and cancer research respectively.
- ** Technology Development **: Dr. Venkateswaralu Chintla (University of Motion Power) for his work on petrol and diesel production on commercial scale from plastic waste.
Important topics such as flexible educational courses, international cooperation and converting research into products and services will be discussed at the conference. It will also discuss effective student selection processes and implementation of NEP 2020.
In his address, Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan thanked the President for his leadership and visionary guidance. He emphasized the importance of NEP 2020 in shaping the future of India as a knowledge-prone nation, which will strengthen India’s path towards becoming a global educational leader by 2047.
