India has a formidable set up of engineering and technical institutions. However, many of them are low in terms of the standard of education imparted. In the pursuit of expanding engineering education in the country, academic excellence must be given equal priority, President Pranab Mukherjee today said.

Every engineering and technical institution must make an all-out effort to help India develop a large pool of proficient scientific and technical manpower, he said, while inaugurating the 28th Indian Engineering Congress convened by The Institution of Engineers (India).

Engineering and technology have to be driven by competent engineers and scientists. The starting point has to be the quality of products emanating from the education system.

Engineering is a preferred discipline accounting for one fourth of total enrolment in higher education. Annual enrolment in engineering tripled during the course of the Eleventh Plan Period, he said.

>raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in