President Pranab Mukherjee has said that education, innovation and research are three critical pillars for higher growth and sustained progress. Presenting annual Visitor's Award at the Rashtrapati Bhawan yesterday evening, Mr Mukherjee said, with collaboration with industry these three pillars can generate knowledge and wealth and welfare of people also lies on it. <br/><br/>The President said, quality of education and research, enhancing faculty standard and establishing collaboration, linkages with international and domestic organization is necessary for an institution. He also said that inculcating core values of patriotism, compassion, honesty, tolerance, performance of duties and respect of women has to be maintained. <br/><br/>During the occasion, the President presented annual Visitor's Award to Tezpur University. He also presented the Visitor's Award for Innovation to Prof. Rakesh Bhatnagar of Jawaharlal Nehru University for development of a genetically engineered vaccine and a therapeutic antibody against anthrax. <br/><br/>The Visitor's Award for Research was presented to the Molecular Parasitology Group of JNU of pioneering work in the area of molecular parasitology, especially anti-malaria, leishmaniasis and amoebiasis. Human Resources Development Minister Smriti Irani was present on the occasion.