IIT Mandi’s 12th convocation highlights achievements in diversity and innovation

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi It recently marked an important milestone with its 12th Convocation, celebrating the achievements of the Institute and its graduates. At the ceremony, 636 students received their degrees in a variety of disciplines, with 463 men and 173 women graduating.

A notable feature of this year’s conference at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi is the notable increase in the percentage of female graduates, which rose from 23.36% in 2023 to an impressive 27.20% in 2024. This increase underlines IIT MandiTrump’s strong dedication to promoting gender diversity and inclusion.

In recognition of his outstanding academic achievements, Mr. Shashwat Gupta, graduated in Mechanical Engineering with B.Tech. The degree was awarded the prestigious President of India’s Gold Medal for achieving the highest CGPA among undergraduate students. Similarly, Ms. Jain Hiya Sudhir, who graduated with a B.Tech. in Bioengineering, received the Director’s Gold Medal for exceptional and all-around performance among undergraduates. Additionally, Mr. Devanshu Sajwan, who completed his M.Sc. in Chemistry, was honored with the Institute’s Gold Medal for outstanding overall performance.”

The event was graced by Mr. Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), who attended as the Chief Guest. Joining him as guests of honor were Professor Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar; Dr. Narendra Kumar Arya, Director of ER & IPR at DRDO; and Mr. Krishna Ika, CEO and President of Brainwave Science. Prof. Laxmidhar Behera delivered the Director’s report, highlighting the significant achievements of the Institute.

Sharing the message with the passing out students, Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon (Retd) stated, “The vision of IIT Mandi is to be a leader in science and technology education, knowledge creation and innovation. IIT Mandi is committed to ensuring that each of you emerges as a future leader in society and for our country, be it in science and technology or in the fields of entrepreneurship and sustainability.”

Further, Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon (Retd) added, “IIT Mandi is home to several schools and centres, and this year we proudly inaugurated the Center for Climate Change and Disaster Resilience (C3DAR), in line with national priorities. in disaster risk management. This center aims to promote cutting-edge research and develop innovative solutions in climate change adaptation, disaster resilience and sustainable development.”

Presenting the convocation report, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, congratulated the class and said, “This milestone marks the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a journey full of opportunities to create a significant impact. “

He highlighted the Institute’s recent developments, including new academic centers and programs, as well as the achievements of its alumni. In particular, he acknowledged Mr. Nitesh Kumar, a B.Tech. Electrical Engineering Alumnus 2020, for winning the Gold Medal in Men’s Singles Badminton (under SL3 Category) at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “IIT Mandi values ​​its alumni and celebrates their contributions,” he said.

During his speech, Prof. Behera also announced the establishment of the Center for Climate Change and Disaster Resilience (C3DAR), focused on innovative solutions for climate adaptation and disaster resilience in the Himalayan region. He emphasized: “By leveraging technologies such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence and IoT, we aim to improve early warning and real-time monitoring systems. With continuous infrastructure development and a commitment to academic excellence, IIT Mandi is dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in sustainable development.”

Delivering the convocation address, Chief Guest Mr. Manoj Jain commented, “I congratulate the students who are graduating today from IIT Mandi. In a short period of time, IIT Mandi has carved a niche for itself in the ever-evolving landscape of professional education in India. I am confident that the graduating students will carry forward the legacy of Brand IIT, contributing significantly to both the aspirations of Viksit Bharat and the global economy. “The success of these students in their professional endeavors will continue to highlight the critical role that IIT Mandi plays in building the human, social and intellectual capital of our nation.”

During his speech, the guest of honor, Professor Rajeev Ahuja, emphasized that today marks the end of a rigorous academic journey and the beginning of new and exciting paths for the graduating generation. He noted that his dedication and intellect will drive his future success. As they enter the professional world, he encouraged them to uphold the core values ​​of innovation, integrity and inclusion instilled at IIT Mandi, which will guide them to make a positive impact on the society.

During the event, the Guest of Honour, Mr. Krishna Ika, encouraged the graduating students to use their skills to address pressing challenges in rural India through innovative startups. He highlighted that such initiatives could improve quality of life and stimulate economic growth. By creating opportunities in towns and cities, graduates have the potential to transform these areas into vibrant extensions of urban centres, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous future for the nation.

Guest of honor Dr Narendra Kumar Arya highlighted that IIT Mandi emphasizes the all-round development of students, encouraging them to excel not only in academics but also in sports, culture and personal growth. With its unique blend of technology, management, Indian knowledge systems and the surrounding hills, IIT Mandi is poised to become a global leader in technology leadership, innovative design and value-based engineering.