Delhi CM tells VIT graduates to make India an AI creator, not just a consumer
Speaking as chief guest at the 41st convocation of VIT University in Vellore on Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged young engineering graduates to transform India into a hub of Artificial Intelligence creators rather than a large consumer market of digital technology.
Gupta, who is also a BJP leader, framed the call within the central government's "India AI Mission," which she said involves substantial investments in semiconductors, computing infrastructure, defence, space, drones, robotics and biotechnology. She argued that India should move beyond consuming AI to producing it, describing this shift as one of the greatest contributions graduates could make to their state and country.
"Young engineering graduates should use their knowledge acquired during classroom learning for wider public good in terms of solving pressing problems in the society," she said, citing the Delhi government's partnership with IIT Delhi to tackle pollution, traffic congestion and waste management in the national capital.
Gupta also urged graduates to go beyond technical skills. "Engineering graduates should not restrict themselves to sharpening their skills but they should also develop empathy towards fellow citizens once they step out for work," she said, adding that strong character and an understanding of failure were essential. She noted that India's vision of "make, invest, design and brand in India" could only be carried forward by young engineering minds.
The convocation, presided over by VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan, was attended by university officials including vice-presidents Sankar Viswanathan, Sekar Viswanathan and G.V. Selvam, executive director Sandhya Pentareddy, vice-chancellor V.S. Kanchana Bhaskaran and registrar T. Jayabharathi, among others. Babu Unnikrishnan, vice-president and chief technology officer at TCS, also addressed the ceremony.
The event carried a personal note for the Chief Minister, as her son Nikunj Gupta graduated alongside his batchmates.
Chancellor highlights enrolment gap, calls for coordination on VC appointments
In his presidential address, Chancellor G. Viswanathan drew attention to India's Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education, which he placed at around 30 percent. He contrasted this with other Asian countries, citing 90 percent in South Korea, around 60 percent in Japan and China, 45 percent in Thailand and 40 percent in Malaysia. He noted that the National Education Policy 2020 aims to raise India's GER to 50 percent.
Viswanathan also appealed to newly-appointed Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi to help coordinate between Governors and states in appointing vice-chancellors.
Research centre inaugurated
Before the ceremony, Gupta inaugurated the Centre for Advanced Research in Bacteriophage and Infectious Diseases (CARBID) at VIT. The centre is jointly sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research and VIT.
According to The Hindu's report, the two-day convocation will honour 11,276 undergraduate and postgraduate graduates, 785 research graduates, 248 Ph.D. rank holders and 84 gold medallists.