Dr. G. Viswanathan, the Founder and Chancellor of VIT, emphasized the need for advancements in science, technology, and research to help India become a developed nation. He shared these thoughts during the opening of Gravitas 2025, a three-day techno-management festival in Vellore.
Speaking at the Anna Auditorium, Chancellor Viswanathan highlighted VIT’s growth from 180 students in 1984 to 100,000 students across four campuses in Vellore, Bhopal, Chennai, and Andhra Pradesh. He explained that in a country with a population of 1.46 billion, VIT aims to provide quality education to as many students as possible.
He pointed out that public institutions often restrict admissions due to high costs for infrastructure and staffing. Many state universities enroll only 1,000 to 2,000 students, a situation he believes needs to change to make education accessible to everyone, including the poor and middle class.
Referring to the 2011 census, he mentioned that only 4 crore out of 14 crore people aged 18–23 are in higher education. He urged the government to focus on the remaining 10 crore, suggesting that both central and state governments should prioritize funding education and healthcare.
He also drew comparisons with Abu Dhabi, noting its high economic prosperity and per capita income of $75,000, far exceeding India’s $2,900. With 95% of the UAE’s oil and gas reserves, Abu Dhabi attracts significant investment, a model India could learn from.
H.E. Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Minister of the Abu Dhabi Municipality, stressed the importance of innovation. He encouraged students to gain technical skills and tackle global challenges in areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate change. He emphasized that innovation should improve technology and enhance human life.
