Mumbai: The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT) celebrated its 55th Interim Convocation on 25 February 2017, where 158 students were awarded degrees. Total degrees awarded were 179, which include 110 PhD, 42 Dual Degrees which were awarded to 21 students and 27 EMBA degrees. The joint EMBA degrees, in association with Washington University in St. Louis (WUStL), were conferred by Prof. Mark Taylor, Dean, Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis.
The degrees were conferred upon those PhD students who have completed all the requirements during the period from August 2016 to January 2017 and have requested for the degree to be awarded earlier than the 55th Convocation. The function was presided by Mr. Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman of Board of Governors, IIT Bombay and Prof. Devang V. Khakhar, Director, IIT Bombay among others.
There is a sharp increase in the number of PhD students at IIT Bombay. While there were only 771 PhD students on roll in the academic year 2001-02, today the number of PhD students at the Institute has increased to 2,894 in 2015-16.
On the occasion, Chairman of Board of Governors, IIT Bombay Mr. Dilip Sanghvi said, “As you look back at the time you spent at IIT Bombay and look towards the future, each one of you is now an ambassador of IIT Bombay in the wider world. Of the various factors which result in quality students entering into the programs of an Institution such as IIT Bombay, perhaps the most important is the publicity given by alumni to the good learning experience they had while at the Institute.”
Congratulating the graduating students, Director of IIT Bombay Prof. Devang Khakhar said, “The education that you get at IIT Bombay is comparable to the best in the world. These are exciting times as there is immense opportunity across sectors as everyone is understanding the need of research activities. Let the motto of IITB be your guiding light. Though you will be leaving the Institute today, you all as alumni of the Institute are important stakeholders and we intend to maintain strong ties with all of you.”
While conferring the degrees upon the Executive MBA students, Dean of Olin Business School in Washington University in St. Louis Prof. Mark Taylor said, “The partnership of IIT Bombay with Washington University in St. Louis is very important to us. I urge all the graduating students to think globally and apply their skills. This is an interesting time in the world when usual rules do not apply. Hence, a flexible approach is required. A student’s objective should be to remake the world. ”
Apart from the students and faculty members of the Institute, the families and friends of the students attended the ceremony.
Prof. D.V. Khakhar speaking during the 55th Convocation Mr Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman, BoG, IIT Bombay during the 55th Convocation. Mark Taylor speaking during the 55th Interim Convocation Prof. D.V. Khakhar speaking during the 55th Convocation.
