Increase investments in research and innovation to give boost to economy: President Kovind

Underlining low investments in research and invation as compared to or countries, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said both Centre and states will have to increase funding in research and invation to give impetus to a large ecomy like India.

In his inaugural dress at Goverrs’ virtual conference on New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Kovind said level of investment in research and invation is 2.8 per cent of GDP in US, 4.2 per cent in South Korea and 4.3 per cent in Israel as compared to only 0.7 per cent in India.

"To give impetus to a large and vibrant ecomy like India, it is necessary to encour kwledge-creation and research. central and state governments will have to increase percent of investment in research and invation," he said.

president said National Education Policy-2020 aims to achieve at earliest joint investment of Centre and states to 6 per cent of GDP in field of public education as has been consistently clarified from 1968 Education Policy to current one.

He said policy envisions a higher education system that derives inspiration from country's rich trition and is also modern and futuristic in outlook. From view point of pedagogy and child psychology, it has been ackwledged that mor tongue should be medium of primary education, he said.

"In line with this approach, education policy opts spirit of three-langu formula. policy puts emphasis on Indian langus, arts and culture. This will develop creative potential in students and furr strengn Indian langus. It will be helpful in preserving unity and integrity of our country characterised by great linguistic diversity," he said.

Kovind said promotion of Indian langus, arts and culture has been given special importance in NEP because y are important for India's identity as well as ecomy.

"One hundred tourist places will be identified to introduce to students India's cultural richness and diversity. Students will be taken to those places on study tours by institutions so that y understand multifaceted civilization, culture, kwledge-systems, science and literature of our country.

“All of you can get prepared good study material about such places in your respective states. You can also give necessary directions for development of tourist facilities at such places," he said at Goverrs’ conference.

Lauding Centre for new education policy, he said it is in accordance with needs and aspirations of 21st century.

"Education is most effective means of social justice and personal vancement. re is better investment than that in education to improve future of society," he said. president said success of policy will depend on effective implementation.

" success of this education policy will depend on effective contribution of both Centre and states. Education is enumerated as a subject in concurrent list of Constitution. refore, it requires joint and coordinated action by Centre and states,” he highlighted.

dressing Goverrs, he said, as y are chancellors of many universities, y have important responsibilities in implementation of recommendations of National Education Policy.

"Teaching and learning should aim to develop exploration, problem solving, spirit of enquiry and creativity in students and instill in m ability and approach to use new information as required. y should be given education that develops character building, ethics, compassion and sensitivity and also makes m employable. Through a complete overhaul of higher education system, this policy seeks to provide education to youth according to ir aspirations and needs," he said.

One of aims of this education system is to generate awareness and respect among students for fundamental rights and duties, constitutional values, patriotism and ir responsibilities in a changing world, president said.

" importance of public purpose and ethics has been emphasised in all areas of higher education, especially in those which groom professionals," he ded.

(Photo Credit: PTI)