Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday, 29 August called on educational institutions to transcend conventional teaching and transform into world-class centres of knowledge, research, and innovation. He made the remarks at the Founders' Day celebrations and the inauguration of 'Arivukoodam' — the Research Park of the Kongu Vellalar Institute of Technology (KVIT) Trust — at Perundurai, Erode in Tamil Nadu.

Key Remarks at the Inauguration

Radhakrishnan urged students to pivot from rote, basic education toward research-oriented learning, stressing that the convergence of research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration is indispensable to India's long-term progress. He specifically called on the student community to pursue research, file patents, and equip themselves for emerging disciplines including artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology, and digital technology.

The Vice President also underscored a broader philosophical point, citing Swami Vivekananda's words: 'You become what you think.' He highlighted the role of yoga and meditation in cultivating mental clarity and sharper intellect — qualities he described as essential for researchers and innovators.

KVIT's Reach and Global Linkages

Radhakrishnan lauded the vision of the institution's 41 founders, noting that KVIT's network has collectively educated nearly one lakh people. He acknowledged the institutions' significant contribution to educational development across the Kongu region and commended their international partnerships with institutions in Germany, the United States, France, and Japan.

During the event, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between Anchor Industries and Arivukoodam, formalising deeper ties between industry and academia. The Vice President also visited an exhibition organised by the Technology Business Incubator of Kongu Engineering College, which showcased innovative student projects and technological solutions, according to a statement from the Vice President's Secretariat.

What Arivukoodam Is Expected to Deliver

The newly inaugurated research park, Arivukoodam — meaning 'temple of knowledge' in Tamil — is envisioned as a hub for research, innovation, and knowledge creation. Radhakrishnan expressed confidence that the facility would strengthen KVIT institutions as global knowledge centres, contributing to both social transformation and national development.

This comes amid a broader national push to raise India's research output and patent filings, with the government repeatedly emphasising the need to improve the country's global innovation ranking. Institutions in Tier-2 cities like Erode establishing dedicated research parks signals a decentralisation of India's innovation ecosystem beyond the traditional IIT-IIM corridor.

What Comes Next

The MoUs signed at the event are expected to channel industry funding and real-world problem statements into KVIT's research pipeline. With global linkages already in place across four countries, Arivukoodam's leadership will be watched to see whether it can translate the Vice President's vision into measurable research output and patent registrations in the coming academic years.