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IIT Kharagpur organized its 65th Convocation on August 27, 2019. Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Honourable Minister of Human Resource Development, Government of India graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kharagpur and Chairman, R P Sanjiv Goenka Group was also present during the Convocation. The event was presided by Prof. Sriman Kumar Bhattacharyya, Director (Officiating), IIT Kharagpur.
This year 2802 students were awarded degrees.
372 Ph. D. (i.e., 321 Ph. D. + 2 Joint MS – Ph. D. + 28 Joint M. Tech. /MCP – Ph. D. + 21 Joint M. Sc. – Ph. D.), 34 MS, 671 M. Tech., 35 MCP, 9 MMST, 16 MHRM, 123 MBA, 32 EMBA, 12 LLM, 30 LLB, 52 PGDBA (a tri-institute programme with IIM Kolkata and ISI Kolkata), 516 Dual Degree, 535 B. Tech. (Hons.), 39 B. Arch. (Hons.), 169 five – year integrated M. Sc. and 157 two-year M. Sc. degrees.
There has been an increase of close to 26% in doctoral degree recipients standing at 372 in comparison to last year’s figure of 295. This indicates a clear thrust on a research-based higher education programme in accordance with the goals set by the Govt. of India.
Speaking on these lines, Shri Sanjiv Goenka emphasized on problem-solving nature of higher education and motivated the students to contribute towards the sustained development of the country through the use of technology, knowledge and skills.
“We are living in a rapidly changing world that provides new opportunities often of an inter-disciplinary nature. But, utilizing such opportunities requires critical thinking, knowledge of diverse domains and a deeper understanding of the needs and aspirations of the society. A balanced, friction-free and united society is the only means by which India can become an economic superpower in the world,” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments the Union Minister said “I have no doubt that this educational system founded in our rich culture and values will help us unlock the hidden potentials of our citizens. We have urged educators, in the draft document on education policy, to underline “traditional Indian values such as service, non-violence, cleanliness, truth, selfless work, tolerance, honest hard work, respect for women, elders, and all people and their inherent capabilities regardless of background and concern for the environment”.
The Research Park at Kolkata was also inaugurated by the Minister digitally. While the Research Park, the first of its kind in eastern India, will foster entrepreneurship skills by bringing research, development and the industry under a single roof. Young entrepreneurs, typically using research and technology developed in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur, will be incubated in this facility.
Shri Pokhriyal also expressed delight on IIT Kharagpur being at the forefront of addressing the issues of national and high societal importance. He made a special mention of the upcoming superspecialty hospital which will not only enable technology-based medical science education but provide affordable medical care to the people from the surrounding rural area.
The Union Minister emphasized the need for research on Indian science and heritage. He also urged every student in India to plant one tree and care for it and also save one litre of water every day to counter environmental and water challenges.
Shri Pokhriyal presented the gold medals to the students. Among them were:
- Kaustav Brahma from the Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering – recipient of the President of India Gold Medal for the best academic performance among the outgoing B. Tech. (Hons.) and B. Arch. (Hons.) programme
- Ms. Kosaraju Akhila from the Department of Architecture and Regional Planning – recipient of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Memorial Gold Medal for the best all-round performance among the B. Tech. (Hons.) and B. Arch. (Hons.) programme.
- Shubham Jena from the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Rajarshi Saha from the Department of Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering – recipient of the Prime Minister of India Gold Medal for the best academic performance among the Dual Degree and Integrated M. Sc. Programmes.
- Abin Devassia from the Department of Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture – recipient of the Dr. Jnan Chandra Ghosh Memorial Gold Medal for the best all-round performance among the Dual Degree and Integrated M.Sc. programmes
- Manish Gupta from the Department of Chemistry – recipient of the Professor Jagadish Chandra Bose Memorial Gold Medal for the best academic performance among the outgoing students of all 2-year M. Sc. courses in the Science disciplines.
- Srikakulapu Kiranbabu from the Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering – recipient of the Director’s Gold Medal for the best academic performance among the students completing M. Tech. and MCP courses
- Sankalp Biswal from the Department of Metallurgical and Material Engineering – recipient of the Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal for the best all-round performance among the M. Tech. and MCP outgoing students.
The Director Prof. S K Bhattacharyya, urged these toppers as well as the 2500+ students who will be awarded degree on the coming Tuesday to take tender care of the fellow countrymen while they set their path to conquer the world.
“They have supported your education in the sincere hope that you will make their world better. Please try your best to ensure a smile in the face of fellow citizens through social justice, societal sustainability with due respect to the Indian-ness, which is our great culture,” he said.