Chennai: Fifteen per cent of the start-ups in Silicon Valley is started by Indians. India and America hold education in high regard and increasingly celebrate entrepreneurship unlike other communities around the world, said US Consulate General, Robert G Burgess.
He was speaking at the university day event organised by Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai branch, on its college premises Tuesday.
“There is a convergence of ideas between the two countries that contributes to the development of society. Indians are always welcome to US for pursuing education which helps in promoting cross-cultural empathy to solve global crisis,” he said.
The event witnessed the distribution of prizes to students and faculty of the university for excellence. A coin was released commemorating VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan’s 80th birthday.
Although there are several educational institutions in the country to improve standards, the Chancellor stated that the government must pump in resources to raise the standards and fund projects carried out in private colleges.
“A minimum of 6 per cent of budget amount should be allocated for education; however, at present, the State and Centre are spending only around 4 per cent. It is time to concentrate on education to create a better future,” Viswanathan said.
According to him, the country is lagging behind in higher education. “Although the country is the sixth largest economy in the world, in per capita income ranking we are placed in 139th position. It signifies that the income of individuals has not grown due to inequality,” he added.
LifeCell International Private Limited chairman S Abhaya Srisrimal Jain, the guest of honour, spoke about students being committed. “Our country will witness the last 70 years’ growth in the next 10 years because of the dynamic youth population,” he said.
He further said, “Students should have deep belief in their own dignity. Determination is required to achieve and excel. One should be committed to eternal beauty, love and justice and focus on creativity.”
University Pro Vice-Chancellor N Sambandam and vice-president G V Selvam participated.
Caption: US Consulate General, Robert G Burgess, LifeCell International Private Limited chairman S Abhaya Srisrimal Jain among others during the release of a coin commemorating the 80th birthday of VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan in Chennai, Tuesday.