55th Convocation Day held at IIT Bombay; 2612 students were awarded their degrees including 357 PhDs
Mumbai: The 55th Convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) was held today on the campus with a lot of fan and fervor. 2612 students were awarded the degrees on successful completion of their academic programmes. The convocation marks a new beginning in the lives of these 2612 graduating students who will now also be the flag bearers of the Institute in the outside world.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Manohar Parrikar, was the Chief Guest for the occasion and he delivered the Convocation Address.
The graduating students this year include 357* PhDs (* including 179 awarded during interim convocation), 32 Dual Degree (M.Tech. + PhD) and 20 Dual Degree (M.Sc. + Ph.D.). Out of these, 33 research scholars were selected for the ‘Award of Excellence in PhD Thesis’ for the year 2017. In addition, 15 joint PhD degrees, in association with Monash University, were also conferred by the Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University Prof. Margaret Gardner, present on the occasion.
Besides these, 6 M.Sc (by Research), 8 Dual Degree (M.Sc.+M.Tech.), 4 Dual Degree (M.Sc.+M.Phil.), 590 M.Tech., 63 M.Des., 25 M.Phil., 117 M.Mgt., 220 two-year M.Sc., 29 five-year integrated M.Sc., 482 Dual Degree (B.Tech. + M.Tech.), 616 B.Tech Degrees, and 21 PGDIIT, Degrees, were awarded at the Convocation.
Presenting the Institute’s Report for the year 2016-17, 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 23 IITs in the country, 41 out of top 50 rankers and 61 of top 100 rankers in JEE 2017 have joined IIT Bombay and 7 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. Wishing the graduating students the best in life, Prof. Khakhar said, “The education you have received at IIT Bombay is comparable to the best in the world and you are now ready to take greater challenges and overcome them. Continue to develop your knowledge and skills and always keep in mind how you can help society and the nation through your work. I wish you all the success in your future endeavors.”
This year, 3 students were presented the Gold medals for their exemplary performance. The ‘President of India Medal’ was bestowed on Patankar Aniket Sanjay, a student from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The ‘Institute Gold Medal’ was awarded to Himanshu Nigudkar, a student from Engineering Physics and the ‘Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal’ was conferred on Shetty Chirag Chandrahasa, a student from the Department of Electrical Engineering. Additionally, more students were presented with gold medals sponsored by donors.
The degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) was bestowed on Dr. Yusuf K. Hamied, Chairman, CIPLA Limited for his outstanding contributions to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.
The Convocation also witnessed the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2016-17’ of IIT Bombay being bestowed on Prof. N.B. Ballal from Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, in recognition of his contributions to the Institute.
Prof. Margaret Gardner, Vice-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.