NIIT University (NU) deliberates on ‘Five Dreams of Sri Aurobindo’ at the 9th Annual Lecture

Neemrana: Established with a vision to bring about innovation in higher education and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society, the not-for-profit NIIT University (NU) today hosted the 9th Annual Lecture by Dr Karan Singh, Chairperson NU and Hon’ble Member of Parliament. Dr Singh spoke on ‘Five Dreams of Sri Aurobindo’ at the annual event held at NU campus, Neemrana.
On this much awaited occasion scholars, eminent personalities and thought leaders congregated to witness how the four Core Principles that shape Education at NU – Industry-linked, Research-driven, Technology-based and Seamless – are coming alive to create a new model in higher education. With a focus on innovation and research-driven approach to education, NU is emerging as a hot-bed of entrepreneurship. Currently there are several start-ups in the campus, giving shape to the dreams of NUtons.
‘Five Dreams of Sri Aurobindo’ and how today’s youth can draw inspiration from the work of this great visionary was deliberated upon. Sri Aurobindo spelled out his five dreams on the Independence Day eve, on Aug 14th 1947 at the request of the All India Radio, Thiruchirapalli. The first dream was a revolutionary movement for a free and united India, and he laments the fact that although India is free, it is not united. The second was a resurgence and liberation of the peoples of Asia and her return to her great role in the progress of human civilization. The third was a world union for all mankind and that is what, we are all striving to achieve as a global society today. The fourth was a spiritual gift of India to the world, and finally, the evolutionary step to a higher and a larger consciousness.
Dr Karan Singh, Chairperson NIIT University and Hon’ble Member of Parliament congratulated the founders and the team on the successful completion of eight years of excellence in education. Talking about Sri Aurobindo Dr Singh said that, he was a remarkable person who began his life as a student in England, came back as a teacher to Baroda, moved as a revolutionary to Calcutta, then went on to become the greatest philosopher of this century in Pondicherry. Sri Aurobindo’s genius illuminated the intellectual landscape. The great philosopher believed that none of the problems of the world can be solved unless there is a leap in the new consciousness. Only a successful model in higher education can help in inculcating a new consciousness and Dr Singh applauded the efforts of Mr. Pawar and his team for establishing a new model in higher education.
Mr Rajendra S Pawar, Founder, NIIT University and Chairman, NIIT Limited said, “At NU we marry our traditional knowledge with the benefits of technology. The world is moving to an open economy and enterprises seek new ideas and innovative approach. Companies today are looking for innovative researchers and research is at the core of our teaching learning methodology. Also with thrust on start-ups entrepreneurship is flourishing. Therefore, we inspire our students to become job creators rather than job seekers.”
Conceptualized as an institution of excellence, NU provides exceptional education based on the Four Core Principles that make learning Industry-linked, Technology-based, Research-driven and Seamless. NU, is well poised for meeting the emerging needs of the knowledge economy through its focus on building strong industry linkages and a research oriented approach.
Prof V S Rao, President, NIIT University, said, “We have successfully established a new model of higher education that fosters critical thinking, innovation and research centric approach and inculcates lifelong learning. In fact, innovation is a way of life at NU and this has encouraged our students to come up with winning entrepreneurship ideas. The university promotes and introduces young minds to new vistas of knowledge, and has encouraged them to think critically and apply that knowledge to everyday life.”
Focus on innovation has fostered a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst NUtons giving shape to many successful start-ups that incubated in the campus. PeerXP Technologies have been selected for Global Accelerator Program and Incubation by Commence Mint. The team has received 1 Million INR funding from Commence Mint. SpectroSmart is a smart device for consumers using a combination of software development, electrical engineering and bio-technology. While AT-Lead is India’s leading Quadcopter manufacturing company of GIS mapping, drone surveillance and vigilance. Trackyo is a customized security solution for vehicle monitoring and driver assistance system aiming to reduce accidents and damages from over-speeding vehicle, suspicious vehicles, reckless driving etc.; CZAR Securities, based in France, provide innovative solutions in web applications security.
Over the years, NU has been building extensive linkages with the industry – it has active collaboration with leading organizations like: Microsoft Research, IBM, WNS and PwC. NU now brings futuristic programs from NIIT to design a B. Tech CSE program that is aligned to what the IT industry today needs. Students from NU have excelled in global platforms like Hackathons, World Robotics Olympiads etc.
Recently, NU’s 7th Convocation ceremony was hosted at the University campus. Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, an eminent Indian scientist and former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was the Chief Guest on the occasion. More than 300 students were awarded degree certificates for successful completion of various programmes at NU. While 213 students received B. Tech degree, M. Tech was awarded to 13 students. 62 students received MBA (Finance & Banking) and 45 students received degree in PG Diploma (Banking & Relationship Management). University also granted its first PhD in Educational Technology. The students have been successfully placed in renowned organizations like IBM, PwC, Accenture, Big Basket, Cleartax, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra, Havells, KPMG, MathWorks, PayU India, Reflexis Systems, Yamaha, ESRI India, Intergraph, Cyient, Genesys etc.
NU has been acknowledged as the “Best University in use of Technology in Teaching-Learning Practices” by industry association Assocham. NU has also been recognized as the Greenest University at Clean & Green India Awards 2016.