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35th CONVOCATION DAY ADDRESS BY PROF. AJAY K SOOD, FRS PRESIDENT, INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY, NEW DELHI, DIRECTOR, NANOMISSION, DEPT. OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, GOVT. OF INDIA, NEW DELHI AND HONORARY PROFESSOR, DEPT OF PHYSICS, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, BENGALURU From left Prof. A.M. Khan Registrar (Evaluation), Prof. K. Byrappa, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Shri. Basavaraj Rayareddi, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education and Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Ajay K Sood, FRS President, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, Director, Nanomission, Dept. of Science and Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi and Honorary Professor, Dept of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Prof. K. Lokesh, Registrar and recipient of Honorary Doctorate, Dr. B.A. Vivek Rai, at the 35th Annual Convocation at Mangalore University 1 CONVOCATION ADDRESS BY PROF. AJAY K. SOOD Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of Mangalore University, Shri Vajubhai Vala, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education and the Pro-Chancellor of Mangalore University, Shri Basavaraj Rayareddi, Prof. K. Byrappa, Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Distinguished Members of Syndicate, Academic Council, Deans of various Disciplines, Faculty Members, graduating students and their well-wishers, Ladies and Gentlemen. I am deeply honored to th be the chief guest of the 35 Convocation of this prestigious Mangalore University. Let me begin by warmly congratulating the graduating students and medal winners who have all worked very hard to reach this moment of joy. This day is memorable not only for the graduating students but also for their proud parents and all well-wishers, your teachers and friends. This day will be etched forever in your memory book of life. In many places around the world, this event is aptly called commencement-it signals the beginning of your journey into the real world, beyond class rooms and examinations. This is where you will commence the exciting process of transforming your dreams into reality, while striving to make the world a better place. Your journey will take you into unknown territory and on unchartered paths. While you cannot prepare for every single thing, you should know that success is guaranteed in the long run if you hold true to your values, and continually learn from experience. Life is eventually what you make of it. On this journey, there are bound to be times of failure. As is said in the Bhagwat Gita, you should strive to perform your ‘’Karma” to the best of your ability, and accept success and failures with equal ease. At the same time, always strive to be the best at what you do, and stay prepared to recognize and exciting opportunity when it comes along. A famous quote says, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”... this cannot be more true. I will now make two points by briefly recalling some of my early experiences. I started my research life in 1974 after finishing my bachelor’s and masters’ honours degrees in Physics from Punjab University, Chandigarh, followed by two years at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay. This was at the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam in Materials Science Laboratory, headed by Dr. G. Venkataraman, an excellent physicist and a true nationalist, who did not believe in importing scientific equipments from abroad. He asked me to build my own lasers to do the experiments. It is now hard to believe that I did build a couple of lasers, did experiments using them. I can now appreciate that the experience taught me valuable skills to become an independent experimental physicist, not afraid to set up new experiments even in unexplored areas. The message is that we can use adverse circumstances to our advantage to come out as a stronger and better person. The second example taught me to come out of my comfort zone to achieve higher goals. As mentioned before, I was in IGCAR, Kalpakkam from 1974 onwards where I had built a reasonably accomplished group with a good laboratory and we were doing well. Then came the offer in 1988 from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to join the Department of Physics, with Limited funding and without the comforts of a national laboratory. I had to make a decision whether I wanted to continue in Kalpakkam in my comfort zone or move to a new 2 place and try out new adventures. IISc had an additional charm to teaching and guiding young students. I am glad that I took the challenge and moved to IISc where I could set up a vibrant group. The message is loud and simple: no pain, no gain; and we should continue to challenge ourselves to achieve our best potential. You need to love what you do and you can achieve anything you set your goals on. I would like to say again how pleased I am to be here today. It is gratifying to see that Mangalore University has, over the years, distinguished itself as a center of excellence in teaching and research. I am very delighted to see that the University has received “A Grade” accreditation from NAAC and the VKRV Rao Commission has described Mangalore University as “A University with a difference”. I was very happy to learn that your University has a beautiful and informative Yakshagana and a spectacular Molluscan shell Museums displaying the heritage of coastal Karnataka ans worldwide collections of rare shells this augers well for a relatively young 37 year old university. I am sure that under the excellent leadership of your Vice Chancellor Prof. Byrappa, a well accomplished academician, along with excellent support from the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor, this university will make further rapid strides to achieve even higher status in next few years. The aim of your University, as I understand, is to promote innovation in teaching, learning and research and cross pollinate new ideas, new technologies and fresh world views. It should create an ignited and intelligent work force responsive to regional, national and global needs in tune with the requirements of different sections of society. Your University is uniquely placed as it has different disciplines of Science, Humanities, Commerce, Management and Education. Interdisciplinarity is the key mantra to make a mark. In my own research in Physics, I have been inspired by naturally occurring phenomena such as flocking of birds, ants, fishes as well as opals, sand dunes and beautiful wavy patterns formed on the beach. These have led me to ask interesting questions, leading to exciting research problems and solutions. India is on high slope of growth and respectability in the world. In many ways, we are passing through a critical phase in our country where the quality of higher education is of concern. The world today is looking at India with admiration and expectations that we will contribute to solving global issues plaguing mankind, such as clean energy, water remediation, clean environment and sustainable growth. This is certainly within our reach. Our research has to be comparable to the very best in the world, in all disciplines ranging from basic sciences, engineering to humanities. I urge you to push the frontiers of knowledge and translate this knowledge for societal development. I am sure you will play an integral part in creating an environment that nurtures the spirit of innovation. Creativity should become a part of your DNA. I can clearly see that technology is changing much faster for your generation than ever before. This reminds me of the New York Times best-selling book titled “The Singularity is Near,” by Ray Kurzwell, a well-known and iconic inventor and futurist. Kurzwell discusses the concept of exponential technological growth which has shrunk the time it takes to translate a scientific concept to technology. In other words, the growth of technology is highly nonlinear. The often quoted Moore’s law (1965) in nanotechnology (which says that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits doubles 3 every two year) is one example of exponential growth. Kurzwell, who has been described as a ‘restless genius’, believes that not far in the future, “nanobotsi.e blood cell size devices will be fighting against diseases, improving our memory and cognitive abilities.” In a way, it is a wonderful time for your generation to be a part of this exciting period in science and technology. I am sure many of you will contribute to the scientific, technological and societal challenges of the future. I will now close this address by once again congratulating the degree recipients. The degree has given you a passport to a new life, new respect and prosperity for yourself, your family and your country. You are now in the driver’s seat. I wish you all the happiness in life. Please do remember that your happiness depends deeply on the happiness of everyone around you. Life need not be binary-one can be an excellent academician, scientist, technologist, social-scientist as well as a good human being. I thank you again for inviting me to be a part of this very important day in your life. May God bless you all. 4 FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR’S DESK I am happy to write a few lines in this issue of Newsletter which highlights the significant works and contributions made in the field of teaching, research, infrastructural facilities and other initiatives undertaken during January-June 2017. I am proud to say that Mangalore University has become more vibrant and proactive in terms of academic and research activities. During the last three years, students’ enrolment has been considerably increased. For the first time, nearly 250 international students from different parts of the world have joined our university. The university provides good research facilities through PURSE, Microtron Centre, CARRT, CARER, etc.

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