Former President Pranab Mukherjee stressed on the need of creating a right atmosphere which can attract the bright minds in the field of teaching. "There are 767 universities in the country and is expanding. There is a huge development of physical infrastructure in higher education.... But I regret to point out that the quality of education, which we are providing in our institutions of higher education, are not up to the world standard," Mr Mukherjee said.
"We will have to create a conducive atmosphere in which the brightest of the bright come to the teaching, research and innovation.... Our future progress will depend increasingly on our ability to innovate, to devise efficient processes for the industrial sector and better solutions for governance," he said.
He was present at Patna University to address the annual convocation of the University.
Stating that IIT Graduates are found at the top places in the international organizations, he said “they were not required to advance promotion of product of mercantile company. How many of them (IITians) are engaged in teaching and basic research?”
He also talked about his previous association with the Patna University when he participated in the annual convocation of the university in 1984 as a finance minister.
"I can say without a doubt that Patna University as a collective has played a significant role in the spread of education, especially higher education, research and innovation," he said.
Mr Mukherjee said the university has given us great nation builders which includes Dr. Sachidanand Sinha, Jai Prakash Narayan, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar and Dr B C Roy.