President Droupadi Murmu has said that the national goal is to make India a developed country before the end of the first half of this century. She said, that to achieve this goal, all stakeholders of the educational institutions and students would have to move forward with a global mindset. In her concluding remarks at the two-day Visitor’s Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening, the President said, young students would make a more effective identity for themselves in the 21st century world with the strengthening of internationalisation efforts and collaborations. She said the availability of excellent education in higher education institutions would decrease the tendency to study abroad. President Murmu said the young talent would be better utilized in nation-building. She said India is moving towards becoming the third largest economy in the world and being self-reliant is the hallmark of a truly developed, large and strong economy. The President said, self-reliance based on research and innovation would strengthen the enterprises and economy and such research and innovation should get every possible support. She highlighted that in developed economies, the academia-industry interface appears strong. President Murmu said, due to continuous exchange between the industry and higher education institutions, research work remains linked to the needs of the economy and society. She urged the heads of institutions of higher learning to make institutional efforts to have continuous discussions with senior people of industrial institutions in mutual interest. The President said that this would benefit the teachers and students doing research work. She also told them that connecting the laboratories of educational institutions with local, regional, national and global needs should be their priority. The President said that it is imperative and challenging to have an education system that is system-based and flexible according to the special talents and needs of the students. She said, in this context, there is a need to remain constantly alert and active. President Murmu said, appropriate changes should continue to take place based on experience and empowering students should be the objective of such changes. The President said that a nation becomes strong and developed only on the strength of characterful, sensible and capable youth. She said, in educational institutions, the character, prudence and capability of the young students are developed. She expressed confidence that the heads of institutions of higher learning would achieve the proud ideals of higher education and would present a bright future to the young children of Mother India.