New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi held its 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony on 02nd November 2019. Dr. K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO was the Chief Guest on this occasion.

On the occasion of 50th Convocation of IIT Delhi, a customized my stamp and special cover were released by Shri P.K. Bisoi, Secretary (Posts) in the presence of Dr K. Sivan, Chairman ISRO and Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi.

The Convocation 2019 witnessed award of degrees to 2042 graduating students (1217 Post Graduate and 825 Under Graduate).

Addressing the graduating students on the occasion, Dr. K Sivan, ISRO, Chairman said, “I am an alumni of IIT-Bombay and from my own personal experience, I can say that IITs are the holy grail of technical education in India. And I am sure that you all will continue the glorious tradition of Delhi as well as that of IIT-ans who have excelled in every field they have worked.”

He added, “When I graduated, more than 3 decades back, the job scenario was not as vibrant as today. Area of specialization limited the career options. Today, the options are many. There is an added volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity about the global economy. However, you all are much smarter and aware about these scenarios than the older generations. Nevertheless, remember, you are unlikely to fall into your dream career or create a successful business simply by wishing for it. Here you have to be pragmatic in your approach and learn from the experience of the older generation.

Keep in mind that, there is only one life and there are many career options. You all need to identify your passion & natural talent and align your career. Choose an industry that reflects your passion and interests. Rather than choosing a job for money, choose it for your happiness. Be good at what you do. Remember, passion is not the only ingredient needed for success. You also need skills and strengths.”

Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi while presenting the Director’s report said, “On the inter-disciplinary research front IIT Delhi has entered into MoUs with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Immunology (NII), Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR), five CSIR labs and the All India Institute of Ayurveda. 95 new funded projects under the faculty interdisciplinary research programme have been sanctioned between faculty within the Institute and with the faculty from AIIMS, ICAR, and NII etc. IIT Delhi is also taking major steps to connect with the Industry.”

Prof Rao added, “The research output of the Institute has shown significant enhancement due to different initiatives fostering interdisciplinary collaborations within the Institute as well as with other institutions. In comparison to the average research funding of about Rs 100 Cr per year in the period from 2014-16, the research funding has shown four times increase to about Rs 380 Cr per year in the period 2017-18 and 2018-19. About 300 new research projects and 290 industry consultancy projects have been undertaken in the year 2018-19 alone. The number of new research projects initiated per year has increased two times. We are expecting our sponsored R&D funding per year to cross Rs 500 cr in the next one or two years.”

On the occasion of the 50th Convocation of the Institute, IIT Delhi and ISRO have signed an MoU to jointly set up ISRO Space Technology Cell at IIT Delhi. The MoU was signed today by Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO and Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi.

Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO said, “ISRO and IIT Delhi are setting up the Space Technology Cell at IIT Delhi with an objective of having a close collaboration with faculty of IIT Delhi having diverse expertise. I am very confident that IITD as an academic partner will work closely with ISRO for problem solving in the space technology and also in new research directions in space technology domain. IIT Delhi students also will get an opportunity to participate in the R & D related activities of ISRO.”

Prof Rao, Director, IIT Delhi said, “IIT Delhi and ISRO have signed an MoU for the creation of a Space Technology Cell at IIT Delhi for strengthening research collaborations between the two organisations. With this collaboration IIT Delhi would like to be part of some of the key initiatives by the ISRO. We would like to work with ISRO closely. All of us working together will only put our nation ahead of others in space technologies.”

The Cell will work for carrying out focused research projects in the space technology domain with specific deliverables. It is also proposed that IIT Delhi as an Institute becomes academic partner of ISRO in research areas for example AI, nanotechnology, functional textiles, smart manufacturing or any area of joint interest.

On the occasion of the Convocation Ceremony 2019, President’s Gold Medal was awarded to Mr Kacham Praneeth (B. Tech in Computer Science & Engineering). Director’s Gold Medal was awarded to Ms Mallika Singh (B. Tech in Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology) and Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal to Ms. Himakshi Barsiwal (M. Tech in Chemical Engineering).

List of Perfect Ten Gold Medalists:

1. Mr Arka Mukherjee – MS (R) in Bharti School of Telecommunication Technology & Management
2. Mr Deepesh Kumar Gautam – M. Tech in Industrial Tribology & Maintenance Engineering
3. Ms Ankita Pramanick – M. Tech in Fibre Science & Technology
4. Ms Diksha Gupta – M. Tech in Water Resources Engineering

List of Silver Medalists:

1. Mr Utkarsh Sinha – B. Tech and M. Tech in Chemical Engineering
2. Mr Abhinav Kumar Shukla – B. Tech and M. Tech in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology
3. Mr Vaibhav Bhagee – B. Tech and M. Tech in Computer Science & Engineering
4. Mr Raunak Lohiya – B. Tech and M. Tech in Mathematics & Computing
5. Mr Rahul Khetan – B. Tech in Biochemical Engg & Biotechnology
6. Mr Harman Singh – B. Tech in Civil Engg.
7. Ms Urvashi Gupta – B. Tech in Chemical Engg
8. Ms Narayani Bhatia – B. Tech in Electrical Engg
9. Ms Prakhar Agrawal – B. Tech in Electrical Engg, Power Automation
10. Mr Paras Gupta – B. Tech in Mechanical Engg
11. Mr Krishaanu Syal – B. Tech in Production & Industrial Engg
12. Mr Summet Khandelwal – B. Tech in Mathematics & Computing
13. Mr Vishnu Raghuraman – B. Tech in Engineering Physics
14. Ms Jessica – B. Tech in Textile Technology

The 50th Annual Convocation ceremony also witnessed IIT Delhi honouring its esteemed alumni with Distinguished Alumni Award 2019 and Distinguished Alumni Service Award 2019.

Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to:

1. Prof. Srinivasan Keshav, Cheriton School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo for his outstanding contributions in Teaching & Research.
2. Dr. Mohit Aron, Founder and CEO of Cohesity for outstanding contributions made in Entrepreneurship.
3. Mr. Binny Bansal, Co-Founder, Flipkart for outstanding contributions made in Entrepreneurship.

Distinguished Alumni Service Award 2019 were presented to:

1. Mr. Arun Duggal, currently Chairman of ICRA Ltd., Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited and International Asset Reconstruction Company for significant efforts and contributions made towards the development and progress of the institute.
2. Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of the Bakshi Group, Mr. Amarjit Singh Bakshi, who is a Delhi based business conglomerate and a first-generation entrepreneur for significant efforts and contributions made towards the development and progress of the institute.

There were also eight Guests of Honour who graced the Convocation Ceremony 2019 with their presence. Guests of Honour include: Mr Raghu Hari Dalmia, President, OCL India Ltd.; Dr Seema Vinayak, Director, SSPL, DRDO; Mr Sunil Bhaskaran, CEO, Air Asia; Shri MS Unnikrishnan, CMD, Thermax; Mr Thomas Varghese, Business Head-Textiles, Acrylic Fibre, Overseas Spinning, Aditya Birla Group; Dr Ashvini Kumar, Sr Director, Former MD, Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd; Dr Manish Gupta, Head, AI Lab, Google India; Prof Ritabrata Munshi, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.