"This (involvement of highly qualified young people in terrorist activities) is a matter of great concern. It proves that our education system, though excellent in equipping people with skills, needs to focus more on inculcating values. This also points out that moral science is as much relevant as other branches of science," he said during an interaction at the Indian Institute of Information Technology in Allahabad on Friday night.
The "missile man" was replying to a query from a young student who asked why people with degrees in engineering and other professional skills were getting involved in terrorism and other types of crime.
A devout Muslim and also known to be a great admirer of the Bhagvad Gita, Kalam stressed on the "unifying role of religion and spirituality".
"Every religion has two aspects - theology and spirituality. The former is usually exclusive and often makes co-existence of people with divergent views difficult. But the latter is all-inclusive as spirituality is all about finding harmony in a life beset with turbulence.
Hence, to bring peace and harmony in society we need to drive our youth towards the spiritual traditions of religions," Kalam said.
Kalam also recounted the imposition of President's rule in Bihar and the Office of Profit controversy as the two most challenging phases of his Presidential tenure.
"But despite the challenges, I was never unhappy with the assignment. This is my advice to the young ones - try to love the job at hand and you shall always remain happy".