Asserting that higher educational institutions are the torch bearers of progress, President Pranab Mukherjee has suggested funding from corporates for research and development in universities. <br/><br/>Addressing the concluding session of three-day Visitor's conference in New Delhi yesterday, the President emphasised upon the need to upgrade the quality of education. He said, it can be done by building a robust research and innovation eco-system, giving primacy to the rankings process, and developing linkages with industry, foreign universities and alumni.<br/><br/>The President, who is a Visitor to central universities, said irrespective of race, gender, faith or socio-economic background, institutions of higher learning are a place where merit triumphs over individual identities, in pursuit of excellence.