Eminent statistician, Mr. C.R. Rao addressed at the first convocation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada on Sunday evening here in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Col. Allam Apparao. He asked young Engineers, Scientists and Research Scholars to keep tempo with advanced nations and come up with new discoveries by acquiring knowledge instead of depending on critical technology. Mr. Rao pointed out that India had remarkable contributions to mathematics and sciences in the past. However, today, despite having a large number of scientists and technologists, the nation's position in the scientific world was not encouraging. The Padma Vibhushan awardee spoke at length about statistics and the role it played in advancement of knowledge. He stated that Statisticians would be in great demand in the future. Vice-Chancellor of JNTU-Kakinada Allam Appa Rao has expressed the hope that the university will be among the top 100 universities of the world by 2015. Presenting his report at the first convocation, JNTU-K said that the university was endeavoring to tie up with other universities. Similarly, prestigious universities in Asia, America, England and Sweden were seeking collaborations with JNTU-K. As Governor Mr. E.S.L. Narasimhan could not be present at the function, Prof. Apparao read out a message. He asked Universities to develop bodies to promote research and entrepreneurship among students and faculty to see research reaching the larger public and helping people collect rewards. Prof. Appa Rao presented 15 Ph.Ds and 33 gold medals at the convocation.