"In every sphere of our lives, the influence of science and technology is becoming so pervasive that human existence is simply inconsiderable in its absence. In order to train the students and develop professionals, our education system needs to re-orient itself to achieve necessary practical and technical goals," he said at a special convocation ceremony of the Techno India University.
A good education institute can encourage the students to be "risk-takers and innovation makers", he added.
"Science and technology are duly recognised as the vehicle to take India into the frontline nations of the world. We have to preserve the will of a large pool of scientific and technically competent manpower to reach our goal," he said.
Lamenting that entrance examinations patterns of technical studies are encouraging rote learning, Mukherjee said that the most important tools that a person in a technical profession should possess is analytical and creative thinking.
Selection process based on these criteria will enable the students to carve a niche for themselves, he said.
"Science and technology are all about taking risks and failing," he said.
The former President stressed on 'innovations' as it provides a competitive edge to business and provides solutions to effective governance.
The University announced a scholarship scheme named after Mukherjee under which two meritorious students from the underprivileged background will be able to study free of cost at the undergraduate level. These two students will have to take an undertaking that after completing their respective courses, they will sponsor one student to study at the university.
On the occasion, 'Doctor of Letters' was awarded to Sukumar Mukherjee, former head of the Department of Medicine in Calcutta Medical College and Hospital and presently Chairman of the medical advisory committee in state health department.
Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and deemed university B.E. College's former Vice-Chancellor Sparsha Mani Chatterjee, who has served in national and international policy-making bodies, were also similarly honoured.
( With inputs from IANS )