THANJAVUR: The need for unity between the natural and social sciences for the highest form of enlightenment was stressed by Prof. M.S. Ananth, distinguished professor at IIT Bombay and former Director, IIT Madras here on Sunday.
Delivering the 29th convocation address at Shanmugha Arts Science Technology and Research Academy (Sastra) University, Ananth said, “humility and faith in God are the two limbs for intuitive revelation needed for the indefinite progress of human life”. He drew inspiring examples from the lives of the teacher-turned-President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and the President-turned- teacher Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, both of whom were humble and faithful in their quest for intellectual accomplishment.
Complementing the progress of education and research in the natural sciences like engineering and medicine, he called for a transformation in the neglected areas of social sciences and the humanities.
Prof. Ananth concluded saying that the three components of education are knowledge, know-how and character building - all of them embedded with a deep sense of nationalism.
While Ph.D. degrees were awarded to 50 graduates, over 3,500 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees were awarded to students from various disciplines of engineering, sciences, management, law and humanities. Prof. R. Kandaswamy, Chancellor, Sastra, presided and Prof. R. Sethuraman, vice-chancellor, Sastra, welcomed the gathering. Deans Vaidya Subramanian and Swaminathan participated in the function.
