Anantapur: Professor Anthony R West exhorts students to seek new challenges
ANANTAPUR: Prof. Anthony R. West, Professor of Electroceramics in the Solid State Chemistry Dept. of Material Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, UK called on graduates to be positive, believe in themselves, not to be afraid of the unknown, and seek out new challenges and opportunities. Mr Antony, was the chief guest at the 36th annual convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning held at Sai Kulwanth Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam on Wednesday.
Mr Anthony, recipient of several awards, including an Industrial Award in Solid State Chemistry from the RSC (1996), the Griffiths Medal and Prize from the IOM3 (2008), the Epsilon de Oro Award from the Spanish Society of Glass and Ceramics (2007) and the Chemical Record Lectureship from the Chemical Societies of Japan (2009), has dedicated professional life to the field of solid state chemistry with special interest in the synthesis of new oxide materials, their crystal structures and electrical properties.
During the convocational address, Mr Antony based his speech on three main advices to the students: “Find your niche in life and you never need to work. Make the most of the resources and facilities available; and be inventive and have the courage of your convictions to be a leader and not a follower.” He encouraged the students to dream big, reminding them that it is remarkable how the big developments in technology, transport, communications, healthcare and so on, all had very small beginnings.
The University Vice Chancellor Prof. K.B.R. Varma during his inaugural address spoke about the growth of the university in the past thirty-six years and also spoke about how Sai Baba had himself shaped the current, unique model of values-based education. Some of the highlights included the brilliant student teacher ratio of 8:1, one of the best in India.
He also spoke of the recent growth of interdisciplinary research thanks to the substantial funding of Rs 70 million received for research from various government agencies like DRDO, Isro, DAE, DST, DBT, BRNS and UGC. He also mentioned about the SSSIHL Central Research Instruments Facility (CRIF), a high-quality research facility that houses major equipment and infrastructural resources required for the University faculty, doctoral research scholars and postgraduate students to gain high quality training for pursuing directed research in frontier areas.
Following this, 457 candidates for the various programmes of study were admitted to their various degrees like undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes as well. There were also 18 Gold Medallists, one M.Phil. and 12 Ph.D. awardees. On the occasion, the Chancellor Justice M N Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India, was also present.
