Pursuing tech challenges more imp than rankings

​Mumbai: Institutes should focus on delivering on national challenges in research and technology instead of focusing on higher global rankings, renowned scientist and former secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy Anil Kakodkar said on Friday.

Kakodkar, a former chairman of board of governors, IIT Bombay, was felicitated by the premier institute on its 57TH foundation day this evening. "There is often a desire to see our institutions figuring near top of the table in global rankings of institutions.

Setting a target like this is no doubt laudable. However, targeting to deliver in tangible terms on key national challenges, in my view would make a larger impact with high ranking coming as natural spin-off," he said, speaking on this occasion.

Kakodkar highlighted some of the initiatives of IITs which can help in overcoming the key technological challenges before the country, including the ones at IIT Bombay such as solar study lights for rural school children, the centre for urban science and engineering, cleaning of rivers, etc. Eleven IIT-B alumni were felicitated on the occasion for contributions in their respective fields.