CM Pramod Sawant addresses the inauguration of doctoral programmes at WPU-Goa, urging scholars to pursue research that drives innovation and benefits society.
PANAJI
WPU-Goa inaugurated its doctoral programmes on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging scholars to use Goa’s natural, cultural and linguistic heritage for research and innovation.
Chief guest Sawant said doctoral degrees should foster discovery and societal progress. He urged scholars to explore Goa’s coastline, rivers, Western Ghats biodiversity, language, culture and Konkani heritage, adding that WPU-Goa could strengthen the State’s higher education landscape and contribute to national research efforts.
The event was attended by Dr Rahul V Karad, Managing Trustee of MAEER’s MIT and Executive President of MAEER’s MIT, WPU-Goa and MIT World Peace University; University of Arizona President Prof Suresh Garimella; DRDO Chairman Dr Samir Kamat; WPU-Goa Governing Board Honorary Chancellor and University at Buffalo President Emeritus Prof Satish Tripathi; and Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
Kamat stressed that societal problems required teams with expertise across disciplines, while Tripathi advocated a transdisciplinary approach to real-world challenges.
Karad said universities must address societal problems rather than merely award degrees, calling for collaborative competition among private institutions. Garimella described WPU-Goa’s transdisciplinary approach as globally unique, while Tanavade said Goa must move beyond literacy and degrees to promote research, innovation and practical solutions.
The university said its doctoral programmes would promote interdisciplinary inquiry, advanced scholarship, critical thinking and innovative solutions to contemporary challenges.
The ceremony also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between WTC and WPU-Goa to explore institutional collaboration.
Five scientist-researchers received the Dr Mashelkar Awards for their contributions to scientific research, innovation and impactful scholarship.
