S. Vishnu Sharma
NIT Rourkela was the cynosure of all eyes when it conducted its 21st graduation day on 20 January 2024.
It is indeed happy to note that 1,998 graduates received their degrees during the 21st convocation. Out of them, 457 were female and 1531 were male.
Degrees
Several dual degrees, were awarded during the Convocation. The degrees awarded included 17 B.Arch., 961 B. Tech., 38 Dual Degree (B.Tech. & M.Tech.), 54 integrated MSc. (5 years), 168 M.Sc., 520 M.Tech., 3 M.Tech (by research), 21 MA, 39 MBA, and 167 PhDs.
Special point
The Institute has seen a rise in the number of female students passing out in different streams, say sources from NIT Rourkela.
This year, a total of 457 female students graduated, which comprises more than 20 per cent of the total graduating students.
As many 173 girl students in Bachelor’s programs, 228 in Master’s programs, and 56 in PhD program graduated this year.
It is also notable that the female-to-male ratio of the Institute has significantly increased from 1:6 to 1:4 in recent years.
This year, 82 international students are graduating, comprising 66 males and 16 females, say sources from NIT Rourkela.
Chief Guest
The Chief Guest for the Convocation was Polavarapu Mallikharjuna Prasad, who serves as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Coal India Limited.
Convocation address
Delivering the convocation address at NIT Rourkela Polavarapu Mallikarjuna Prasad, said, as our great nation is emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, you (Graduands) are living in exciting times that offers diversified opportunities for professional growth.
You are living in the times of information and communication explosion, you are living in the times of rapid technological advancements, he said at during the convocation at NIT Rourkela.
‘You are living in the times of globalization and digitalization, you are living in the times of skill development and you are living in times of expanding business opportunities,’ said the chief guest speaking at NIT Rourkela.
He further said Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has recently said that the world looks at India as a pillar of stability, a trusted friend and a global growth engine.
India’s power sector is growing exponentially with increase in capacity addition. So is renewable energy sector with solar and wind as twin growth engines, said the chief guest speaking at NIT Rourkela.
Steel, cement, construction and other infrastructure industries are booming. With the continuing structural reform and globalization, India is accelerating its growth rate.
Further, he said that the growing Indian economy promises a brighter future for young engineers. Globalization means additional job opportunities.
Because of its vast and highly talented Human Resource, India has become a favourite destination for many MNCs to set up their production lines in the country.
The future is bright and you are part of that future in India, he said.
Endeavour
NIT Rourkela’s endeavour to showcase regional art and skill through Convocations has received commendation and acknowledgement from the former President of India, various Union Ministers, parents of students, and the local community.
Just like in recent years, this time too, NIT Rourkela’s Convocation Dress Code highlighted the richness of Odisha’s culture by featuring Sambalpuri design costumes.
Male graduands were attired in full-sleeve Sambalpuri design Kurtas made of cotton, while their female counterparts will grace the occasion in Sambalpuri design Cotton Sarees, say sources from NIT Rourkela.
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The primary objective is to promote and uplift regional handloom weavers by offering them a platform to showcase their craftsmanship to the entire nation through graduating students, say sources from NIT Rourkela.
In 2023, NIT Rourkela got the opportunity to organize CSAB 2023, wherein the institute organized CSAB for the second time in a row.
Total registrations obtained through JoSAA were 2,15,917 and through CSAB Special were 57,950.
One hundred and nineteen central institutes participated in this counselling session with 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 1 IIEST, 26 IIITs, 3 SPAs, and 35 GFTIs. Under the ‘NIT+’ system, another 96 institutes participated.
Report
Delivering the Director’s Report, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director, NIT Rourkela, said, “My dear graduates, the time has come for you to pay back to the country that has given you what you are going to get.
Our commitment of a dedicated service to the nation and humanity is reflected through the contributions of the alumni in various nation building projects and are also visible at the international levels, he said.
‘This year, we have successfully implemented reform aligned with NEP 2020, empowering students for successful careers in both industry and academia.’
NIT Rourkela stands 1st place (3,31,932 citations) based on Transparent Ranking2023 and in QS World University Sustainability Ranking among NITs, he said.
During the session of 2022-23, sponsored research projects worth Rs. 42.59 crores were sanctioned through 73 projects in the fields of Science, Social Science, and Engineering.
A total of 22 patents have been granted in the year of 2023. 25 of our faculty members are on the list of most influential Scientists in the year 2023, as published by Stanford University, said director of NIT Rourkela.
The Institute currently has around 370 international students from more than 20 different countries of Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America continents, he said.
He also said that NIT Rourkela takes pride in nurturing more than 50 startups incubated at FTBI, working in the fields of electronics, IT/ITeS, fashion technology, and Agri-tech.
Six are women-led, showcasing our commitment to diversity, with entrepreneurs from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities leading some ventures.
NIT Rourkela also gives paramount importance to the student’s emotional, social, personal, and perpetual well-being.
Institute Counselling Services (ICS) is a technical service unit of NIT Rourkela that looks after the psychological well-being of the NITR fraternity.
ICS has conducted LEAD sessions for internships and orientation sessions for 1st year UG students, foreign students, and 1st year PhD students, he said.
Gold Medal Winners
This year, eight students were awarded the Institute Gold Medal (10 Grams of 22k Gold) and five students were presented the Endowment Gold Medal.
A total of 59 students will be the Branch Topper Medalists (Silver Medalist). There were also seven Endowment Awardees including one student who was granted a Rs. 1,00,000 endowment award for being the Best Student Research Scholar for 2023.
Alumnus Awards
Another key highlight of the 21st Convocation ceremony was the presentation of Distinguished Alumnus Awards to four alumni:
In Academia and Research: Dr. Sarat Kumar Mohapatra (1970, B.Sc, Metallurgical Engineering) – Currently serving as Research Associate at University of Minnesota, USA.
In Industry and Management:
Ø Sariputta Mishra: (1984 Batch, B.Sc., Mining Engineering): Currently serving as Director and CEO of Odisha Coal and Power Ltd.
Ø Dilip Kumar Mohanty (1987 Batch, B.Sc., Metallurgical Engineering): Currently serving as the Director (Production) and Director (Personnel)- Additional Charge at NMDC
Ø D. B. Sundara Ramam (1990 Batch, B.Sc., Mining Engineering): Currently serving as the Vice president (Raw Materials) of Tata Steel in Jamshedpur.