President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Monday inaugurated the 150th anniversary celebrations of Madras University, his alma mater and one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in India.

Speaking on the occasion, the president called for moral leadership and greater research. "Good teaching emanates from research. Any university is judged by the research it produces," Kalam told students and academics here.

He opened a virtual university portal, a joint project of Madras University with the Calcutta and Bombay Universities, by which millions of students will be able to access quality education.

"Technology is a learning tool, linking economy and the environment," the president said recalling his own college days and paying tribute to his teachers at the St Joseph's College, Tiruchirapally, under the university in 1950-54.

"The government of Tamil Nadu should be a catalyst", to ensure that all the universities in the state are linked to the tri-university portal online, by which millions of students can get access to quality higher education, Kalam said.

He released 16 books on the university, part of the project to publish 150 such books during the year-long celebrations.

A postage stamp and its first day cover were released on the occasion.

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram announced a grant for a super-speciality nanotechnology R&D centre under the university.

Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Sing promised central government's support for a Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Contemporary Studies. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said a Centre for Dravidian Movement studies will be established at the university.