Addressing the fourth convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) here, noted academician and scientist of Germany, Professor Joachim Holtz, made a passionate appeal to the IIT students to leave no stone unturned in scaling the optimum heights in their academic march to take India to prosperity, in their respective spheres. For rising up, the sky was the limit, he exhorted.
Recalling his own experience he said, “ When I became a Professor in IIT Madras way back in 1969 even the rudimentary facilities like library and laboratories were not available, but today there is a happy change and India had made rapid progress in various spheres of science and technology over the past 56 years. “I am happy to note that the students of IIT Komand were now being trained to take on successful professional career in keeping with the needs of the Indian industry".
Former chairman of Board of Governors, IIT Mandi M. Natrajan also the Guest of Honour, said IIT Komand has emerged as the torch-bearer in the advancement of knowledge of science and technology in the country functioning on the lap of the cup-shaped lush green grand Himalayas. In a short span of only seven years, the institution has enormously expanded in knowledge and space to accommodate over 1000 students.
Director IIT, Timothy A. Gonsalves dwelt at length on the tough but successful journey of the IIT Komand, which has ranked No 3 among all the IITs of the country next only to IIT Mumbai and IIT Kanpur according to a survey conducted in 2015-16 by various reputed publications.
As many as 140 students were awarded degrees in the convocation, the fourth of the Institute.
Rohit Patial was awarded the best award of the President of India Gold Medal for the outstanding academic performance from among the B.Tec graduates passing out from the IIT on Monday. He was also given the silver Institute medal from among the B.Tech computer science and engineering students.
Prateek Gauba was awarded Director’s gold medal for all round excellence in academic and extra-curricular activities. Amog Almachi got silver medal for top performance in mechanical engineering from among the graduating B.Tech students.