Smoot is in Pune for the Honeywell-Nobel Laureate Lecture Series to be held at the College of engineering, Pune (CoEP) on March 4 and 5. Moot’s remarks have come in the backdrop of demands from the education sector for a six percent share in the Union Budget. It is currently just over 3.5 per cent. “Having quality human resources is India’s advantage. The country should focus more on developing these resources to create a knowledge society. Science and engineering are the two major sectors on which India can bank on,” he told reporters at a press conference. Managing director of Honeywell India Vimal Kapur and director of CoEP Anil Sahasrabuddhe were also present.

Moot also spoke about the proposed educational tie-ups in India. “The Chancellor and president of the University of California visited India six months back. IIT-Kharagpur and University of California are discussing collaboration through teacher’s training programmes. There are some tie-ups on the cards for post graduate courses in engineering and business management,” he said.