'Universities should concentrate on research'

President APJ Abdul Kalam has said universities were judged by the level and extent of the research work it accomplishes.

President APJ Abdul Kalam has stressed the need for a university to conduct research, saying universities were judged by the level and extent of the research work it accomplishes.

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"This sets in a regenerative cycle of excellence. Experience of research leads to quality teaching and quality teaching imparted to the young in turn enriches research. It brings transformation and development and also enhances the quality of education," the president said while delivering a talk at the Mizoram University.

Kalam also touched on India's vision in space exploration and said the country hopes to get an unmanned space vehicle to the moon by 2007.

"The moon and mars are considered great potential wealth of mineral and other energies," he said.

He said talent should be nurtured and said India has a lot to learn on this subject from Dr Norman Borlaug, Nobel laureate and agricultural scientist. Dr Borlaug, while being felicitated for his contribution towards agriculture science in New Delhi, had praised Indian scientists working for the betterment of the people, among who were less known scientists whom he had mentioned by name.

"This action of Dr Borlaug, I call scientific magnanimity. Young friends, if you aspire to achieve great things in life, you need scientific magnanimity. Think about it and correspond with me. It is my experience that great minds and great hearts go together. This will motivate the scientific community and nurture team spirit," the President told the university's students.