Mumbai: It was a proud moment for Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). The 54th Convocation of IIT Bombay was held yesterday (13 August 2016) on the campus while 2515 students were awarded the degrees on successful completion of their academic programmes. Dr. Rajendra Singh, Chairman, Tarun Bharat Sangh and winner of Stockholm Water Prize 2015, was the Chief Guest for the occasion and he delivered the Convocation Address.
This year IIT Bombay has created history by awarding degrees to highest number of doctoral students. The graduating students this year include 208 PhDs, 9 Dual Degree (M.Tech. + PhD) and 7 Dual Degree (M.Sc. + Ph.D.) and 101 PhD degrees awarded during interim convocation held in March, which is the highest number of doctoral students being awarded their degrees at a Convocation ever, in the history of IIT Bombay. The press statement of IIT Bombay further mentioned that out of these, 29 research scholars were selected for the ‘Award of Excellence in PhD Thesis’ for the year 2016. In addition, 16 joint PhD degrees, in association with Monash University, were also conferred by the Deputy Chancellor of Monash University Dr. Christine Nixon, present on the occasion.
Besides these, 6 M.Sc (by Research), 14 Dual Degree (M.Sc.+M.Tech.), 6 Dual Degree (M.Sc.+M.Phil.), 626 M.Tech., 56 M.Des., 14 M.Phil., 115 M.Mgt., 201 two-year M.Sc., 22 five-year integrated M.Sc., 508 Dual Degree (B.Tech. + M.Tech.), 586 B.Tech Degrees, and 14 PGDIIT, Degrees, were awarded at the Convocation.
Presenting the Institute’s Report for the year 2015-16, Prof. Devang V. Khakhar, Director of IIT Bombay informed that IIT Bombay continues to be a sought-after destination for UG and PG studies. “Among 22 IITs in the country, 49 out of top 50 rankers and 67 of top 100 rankers in JEE 2016 have joined IIT Bombay and 10 of the top 10 All-India JEE rank holders have chosen to join IIT Bombay. Similar trends are observed for the candidates qualifying in other entrance examinations as well,” he said.
In a press statement, IIT Bombay said that 3 students were presented the Gold medals for their exemplary performance this year. The ‘President of India Medal’ was bestowed on Vikranth Dwaracherla Reddy, a student from the Department of Electrical Engineering. The ‘Institute Gold Medal’ was awarded to Sukanya Patil Vijaysing, a student from the Department of Electrical Engineering and the ‘Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal’ was conferred on Karan Gupta, a student from the Department of Civil Engineering. Additionally, more students were presented with gold medals sponsored by donors.
The ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2015-16’ of IIT Bombay was being bestowed on Prof. R.K. Malik from Department of Chemical Engineering, in recognition of his contributions to the Institute.
Dr. Christine Nixon, Deputy Chancellor, Monash University, Australia, members of Board of Governors and several other distinguished guests from India and abroad attended the Convocation function, besides the graduating students and their proud parents.
