S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Guwahati 26th convocation turned out to be an impressive affair. Over 2150 degrees were awarded during the ceremony.
Those who received degrees comprised 1682 male and 468 female.
Vedant Gaurang Shah, B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering, achieved the top score in the entire B.Tech/B.Des batch and was awarded the President of India Gold Medal.
Rethyam Gupta, B.Tech. in Engineering Physics, received the Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal, say sources from IIT Guwahati.
Additionally, Arpita Ray, M.Tech. in Geotechnical Engineering, was awarded the Governor of Assam PG Gold Medal, while Pranshu Kandoi, B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering, was awarded the Governor of Assam UG Gold Medal.
Chief Guest at IIT Guwahati convocation
Dr. Sridhar Vembu, Founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, alongside Prof. Gautam Barua, Former Director of IIT Guwahati, who attended as the Guest of Honor.
Dr. Rajiv I. Modi, Chairman, Board of Governors, presided over the event virtually, while Dr. Prahlada Rama Rao, Acting Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIT Guwahati, delivered the welcome address.
Director
Director of IIT Guwahati Prof Devendra Jalihal presented the convocation report. “We are proud to celebrate IIT Guwahati’s 26th Convocation.
This milestone reflects the hard work and dedication of our graduating students, who have excelled in their academic and research pursuits, said IIT Guwahati director.
Our institute’s achievements in tech transfer, patent filings, and high-quality research publications highlight the innovative spirit of our graduates, he said.
Comprehensive Efforts
Our comprehensive efforts, recognized in the NIRF 2023, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, Nature 2024, and QS World University Rankings 2025, underscore our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, said Prof Devendra Jalihal.
With 11 departments, 9 academic centers, 5 academic schools, and the AAHII Hospital, IIT Guwahati not only strives for academic excellence but also actively fosters a culture of research-driven discovery and societal impact, he said.
Our initiatives exemplify our dedication to advancing knowledge, empowering global collaborations, and pioneering solutions that positively transform communities worldwide, said director of IIT Guwahati.
Prof. Jalihal concluded by expressing his heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates and expressing his confidence in each student to excel in life.
Talent
IIT Guwahati draws talented students from all over the country for its undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, with an increasing number of international students. Over its 30-year history, IIT Guwahati has seen over 22,600 graduates.
Chief Guest
Dr Sridhar Vembu, delivering the convocation address said as you (students) embark on conquering the world with your knowledge and skills, allow me to share insights from my own journey.
Indigenizing technology starts with proactively addressing immediate challenges, seeing them as fertile ground for innovation, said Dr Sridhar Vembu at IIT Guwahati convocation.
It requires a steadfast commitment to investing in research and development, fostering a culture of creativity and resilience, he said.
Embrace challenges as they arise—they not only test and refine your strengths but also spark breakthroughs that drive significant progress and lasting impact, said the chief guest.
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Remember, the lessons learned from experience are invaluable, guiding your path forward. Together, let us focus on developing our country and building our nation by enhancing our capabilities and expanding opportunities for all, he said during IIT Guwahati convocation.
Explore
Prof. Gautam Barua, Former Director of IIT Guwahati and IIT Guwahati 26th Convocation Guest of Honor, said, “Congratulations to the graduating students on achieving this significant milestone!
‘As you progress, I encourage you to explore diverse areas of interest and deepen your expertise.’
My best wishes to each of you for achieving continued success and fulfillment in all your future endeavours, he said. Prof. Barua added, “Sustaining the momentum of growth and excellence is fundamental to the success of IITs.
Our institute is defined by its rich culture and supportive environment, which must be preserved and passed down to future generations of faculty and students, said former director of IIT Guwahati.
Research
IIT Guwahati is on its path to being recognized as one of the world’s top institutes/universities. By implementing NEP 2020 policies, IIT Guwahati is advancing in interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and transdisciplinary research and technology development.
This includes offering courses in futuristic areas, fostering a start-up culture, promoting entrepreneurship at all levels, and creating jobs in the Northeast.
Spearheading
During the reporting year, IIT Guwahati is spearheading a significant multi-institutional transformational project known as the “Digital Nerve Center,” in partnership with the National Health Mission Assam, TATA Medical & Diagnostics, and the Gates Foundation.
This project exemplifies the involvement of a major academic institute for the first time, fostering partnerships with local and national governments, industry, and international agencies to significantly impact the healthcare delivery system in the northeast.
Aim
With the aim of strengthening and expanding the educational landscape of the entire Northeast region, IIT Guwahati has partnered with the state government to facilitate a range of training and mentoring programs for both teachers and students at the school level, encouraging them to pursue academic excellence.
Over 100,000 students participated in the mega Science and Maths Olympiad conducted by the institute. The institute currently has 698 research and consultancy projects in progress, with a total sanctioned value of approximately Rs. 389 crores.
In the year under review, 473 new research and consultancy projects, with a sanctioned value of Rs. 145 crores, have been initiated.
RPTO
To cultivate innovation and excellence in drone technology services and education, IIT Guwahati launched India’s largest Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO).
This facility spans 18 acres and can simultaneously operate 9 medium-class drones.
The institute also hosted an innovative three-month training program for defense personnel, including Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other officers, aiming to modernize armed forces operations.
These initiatives will help in developing indigenous technologies and generate direct and indirect employment opportunities.
National and International
On national and international recognition front, IIT Guwahati has retained the 7th position among the best engineering institutions in India and the 9th position in both ‘Overall’ and ‘Research’ categories in the ‘India Rankings 2023.’
Additionally, IIT Guwahati’s subjects in Data Science and Petroleum Engineering have been ranked among the top 100 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.