3^rd Convocation celebrated at Indian Institute of Technology Mandi on 31^st October 2015

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi marked its 3^rd Convocation Ceremony with a solemn event on 31^st October, 2015. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Director, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali. Among other dignitaries present were the Guests of Honour, Mr. M. Natarajan (Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Mandi) and Prof. Timothy A. Gonsalves (Director, IIT Mandi). IIT Mandi also received congratulatory messages from the President of India and the Minister of Human Resource Development on the occasion.

In the Convocation Ceremony, a total of 115 students received their degrees: 105 B. Tech. students, 7 M.S. (by research) students, and 3 Ph.D. scholars. The efforts and achievements of exceptional students were recognized and rewarded. Mr. Sachin S. Bhat was awarded the President of India Gold Medal and institute Silver Medal for overall excellence in academics and top performance in Computer Engineering. Mr. Prashant Prazapati was awarded Director's Gold Medal for all around excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities. Mr. Prazapati was also awarded the Balasundaram Endowment Prize for German. Mr. Ingale Swapnil Sushil received the Institute Silver Medal for top performance in Mechanical Engineering; and, Miss Nidhi Manoj Makhijani got the Rani Gonsalves Memorial Medal for best performance among girl students of B. Tech. batch.

The Convocation Ceremony, held at the Institute’s permanent campus at Kamand, began at 3:30 pm with the national anthem. Shri Natarajan declared the Convocation open. The opening was followed by the welcome speech and report by the Prof. Timothy A. Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi. In his report, the Director emphasized the development of IIT Mandi in the past six years, both on academic and administrative fronts. He outlined the achievements of faculty and students in the recent years. He noted that the Institute faculty had published a total of 451 international publications up to this present academic year. Also, that some of the best companies in the world, including Amazon, Cisco, Cognizant, Infosys, Microsoft, Samsung, L&T, TCS and Tata Motors had recruited students from the campus.

Furthermore, the Director mentioned that IIT Mandi was expanding its academic programmes in several directions, including at the post-graduate level. He mentioned that, in 2014, two new Masters programmes were started: an M.Tech. programme in Energy Materials and a M. Sc. programme in Chemistry. IIT Mandi had also expanded in BioX areas with new faculty joining to form a group of 8 faculty members. In 2015, the Institute had started an integrated M.Sc. - Ph.D. programme in Physics (iPh.D. Physics) and a B. Tech. programme in Civil Engineering. The Institute had also started research in Infrastructure and Civil Engineering for mountain regions, in keeping with the needs of its Himalayan home. Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Chief Guest, congratulated all graduating students and their parents and families. He commended the Director, faculty, staff, and students of IIT Mandi for setting-up the Institute and bringing it to this level in the face of great challenges due to the remote location in the Himalayas. Prof. N. Sathyamurthy reminded students that the country expected them to be good citizens, since the country had invested heavily in their education. He said that it did not matter what profession students followed from this point forward; however, what mattered most was that students gave their best at what they did in the future.

Miss Apoorva Bhatia, a graduating student of the B. Tech. Electrical Engineering batch, was the Valedictorian on this occasion. Apoorva recalled that three years back, when their batch shifted at Kamand, they just had a couple of hostels, few labs and one major classroom. And, now the Institute had almost a fully flourishing campus running at Kamand. She further said that most of the students who were graduating today were capable of taking up a new ventures even if there wasn't any proper guidance. That was because the students had learnt to persevere in the face of adversity at IIT Mandi.

The Convocation was declared closed by Shri M. Natarajan following which there was a stirring rendition of the national anthem by all present. Prior to the speeches by dignitaries, a pledge was taken by graduating students. In the pledge, students took an oath to utilize their knowledge in the service of India in its march towards a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. Throughout the programme, the sense of pride and achievement was palpable among the students, their families, and the faculty and staff of the Institute. The event ended with hope and joy that is sure to inspire the students and faculty of this Institute in the years ahead.

Prof. T. A. Gonsalves, Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Shri M. Natarajan along with IIT Mandi's 3rd Convocation graduands

Prof. T. A. Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi welcomes Chief Guest Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Director, IISER Mohali

Prof. Timothy A. Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi delivering inaugural address during the Convocation

During National Anthem at the 3rd Convocation

IIT Mandi's 3rd convocation graduands, in their convocation dress. Ready to receive their much deserved degrees.

Congrats Sachin: Mr. Sachin S. Bhat, President of India Gold Medal and Institute Silver Medal winner receives the citation from Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Director, IISER Mohali

Congrats Prashant: Mr. Prashant Prazapati, Director's Gold Medal winner receives the citation from Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Director, IISER Mohali

Congrats Ingale Swapnil: Mr. Ingale Swapnil Sushil, Institute Silver Medal winner receives the citation from Prof. N. Sathyamurthy, Director, IISER Mohali