#IInvenTive2022: IITs have to move beyond being just Engineering Colleges, says Pradhan

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while inaugurating the Research and Development Fair of IITs, IInvenTive 2022 said that many countries are evincing interest to set up offshore IIT campuses.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at IInveTive 2022

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that IITs have to move beyond being just engineering colleges, they need to do quality research and innovation. “We have to stop benchmarking IITs on the basis of placement packages,” Pradhan said.

IITs should redefine parameters and benchmark on the number of innovations brought into the market, innovations monetised, and the number of job creators created, said Dharmendra Pradhan while inaugurating the Research and Development Fair of IITs, IInvenTive 2022.

The Education Minister said that innovation has to connect with society and market forces. He said: “Each one of our IITs are a ‘Ratnabhandar.’ Repositories of knowledge and experience, our IITs are a bridge to the future.”

He said that the 75 innovations showcased at #IInvenTive2022 is a very humble account of the research and development prowess of our IITs. “Digitalisation, thrust on sustainability, energy & aviation will create a need for skilled professionals. We have to be ready to harness and lead these opportunities,” Pradhan said.

He added that in the times ahead, IInvenTive will be an institution of collective wisdom of India. He said: “We have to develop research-based entrepreneurship.”

Today, many countries are evincing interest to set up offshore IIT campuses. It is a recognition of the knowledge and quality of our IITs,” said Pradhan.

Talking about NEP 2020, Minister said that it is one of the biggest reforms in our country. I expect all our HEIs, especially IITs to include skill development as a priority. Pradhan said: “We have to reimagine skilling beyond traditional trades to prepare our demography for the opportunities of the future.”

The Education Minister added that technology will drive the next phase of growth and development with IT and communications technology among the front runners. He said: “The world today will invest more vigorously in India. Our students and innovations have the potential to be among the best in the world.”

The Minister added that India’s talent, digital-first attitude, market size, emerging purchasing power and growing aspirations are a heady mix to take India forward at an unprecedented speed and scale. “Our IITs should seize this opportunity,” said Pradhan.

He went on to add that It is India’s time now on the world stage. He said: “We have been leaders in sectors like software development, financial management, medicine & legal analytics. Our inherent intellectual capacity is capable of situating India into a leadership role in the new global order.”

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the call of ‘Jai Anusandhan.’ #IInvenTive is a spirited initiative towards PM Modi’s call. “Indigenous innovations happening today, especially in healthcare has instilled confidence that India’s models will be a guiding light for emerging economies,” added Dharmendra Pradhan

He also expressed confidence that in the times ahead #IInvenTive will emerge as a key forum which will provide solutions to complex global problems.

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