S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Jodhpur celebrated Teachers’ Day 2024 with a series of events to honour institution’s educators and introduce new academic initiatives.
The celebration began with a traditional Sarasvati Vandana, followed by the Lamp Lighting Ceremony and a tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
These solemn proceedings set the tone for an afternoon dedicated to recognizing the vital role of teachers in shaping the future of the nation, say sources from IIT Jodhpur.
Director of IIT Jodhpur
Professor Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, delivered the inaugural address, reflecting on the importance of teaching as a noble profession.
He introduced a new initiative aimed at offering first-year B.Tech. courses in Matra Bhasha (non-English) languages, making education more accessible and inclusive for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Presentation
A brief video presentation demonstrated the potential of this initiative to bridge language barriers in technical education.
‘At the heart of IIT Jodhpur’s success are our teachers—their unwavering commitment, pursuit of excellence, and ability to inspire,” said Professor Agarwal.’
‘They are not just transmitters of knowledge but mentors who shape the character, intellect, and vision of our students.’
Key Highlight
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) Website, where Dr. Avinash Sharma, Professor In-Charge, CCE, provided an overview of the Centre’s mission to offer lifelong learning opportunities.
The Centre will focus on delivering innovative courses designed to cater to professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge, say sources from IIT Jodhpur. There is more to it than meets the eye.
Awards
This was followed by the Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony, recognizing six outstanding faculty members for their contributions to academic excellence. The awards celebrate educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing the learning experience at IIT Jodhpur.
Among the most anticipated parts of the program was the recognition of four educators with the prestigious Distinguished Teacher Awards:
•Dr. Vivek Vijay, Department of Mathematics
•Dr. Binod Kumar, Department of Electrical Engineering
•Prof. Kaushalkumar Ashokbhai Desai, Department of Mechanical Engineering
•Prof. Somitra Kumar Sanadhya, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Awardees of Teaching Excellence:
•Dr. Vivek Vijay, Department of Mathematics
•Prof. Richa Singh, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
•Dr. Akanksha Choudhary, School of Liberal Arts
•Dr. Sumit Kalra, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
•Dr. Arpit Arvind Khandelwal, Department of Electrical Engineering
•Prof. Meenu Chhabra, Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering
Role of Teachers
Dr. O. P. Yadav, Director of ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur, emphasized the holistic role of teachers in shaping responsible citizens.
Teaching goes beyond the classroom; it’s about educating individuals to become responsible citizens and building strong character,” he stated.
His address resonated with the audience, highlighting the foundational impact of primary educators on students’ lifelong learning journeys, say sources from IIT Jodhpur.
Research in Clean Energy
Narendra Goliya, Chairman and Managing Director of Rishabh Instruments Ltd. and Ivaan Foundation, spoke about the newly established Rishabh Centre for Research & Innovation in Clean Energy.
This initiative, supported by a ₹70 crore donation from Mr. Goliya, aims to propel research in clean energy technologies, contributing to India’s sustainable future.
Goliya also announced two significant research chairs to promote the research excellence of faculty members at IIT Jodhpur: the Goliya Chair for Energy Research, and the Johri Young Faculty Fellowship for Energy Research.
‘Character building for future generations goes beyond book knowledge; it’s about impactful teachers and the irreplaceable teacher-student relationship,’ said Goliya, reinforcing the importance of education in India’s growth.
Chief Guest
Chief Guest for the event at IIT Jodhpur was Prof. K. L. Srivastava, Vice Chancellor of JNVU, Jodhpur. He spoke on the significance of integrating regional languages into technical education, underscoring IIT Jodhpur’s commitment to both innovation and cultural preservation.
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‘At IIT Jodhpur, celebrating Teachers’ Day involves harmonizing nature and technology, with a strong commitment to incorporating regional languages into BTech programs,’ said Prof. Srivastava.
Cultural Program
The Teachers’ Day celebration wrapped up with a vibrant cultural program performed by students, leaving the audience with a sense of pride and appreciation for the remarkable contributions of the faculty at IIT Jodhpur.