Union minister of education Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank on Friday urged all the graduating students of IIT Bhubaneswar to strive hard to accomplish their dreams despite the enormous challenges they were likely to face in the times to come. He also urged them to do their best to make the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan successful.

Addressing students on the 9th Convocation of IIT Bhubaneswar through video conferencing, he said: “The Education Policy (NEP-2020) will go a long way in instilling the future of the new students which will pave the way for holistic and multidisciplinary education. Students should strive hard to rise to the occasion of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The education ministry is promoting a culture of research, innovation and entrepreneurship in Indian education system.”

The Union minister asked students never to forget the contribution of their alma mater — IIT Bhubaneswar — which has helped them excel through innovative teaching, learning and mentoring that has put them on the path of success. “I must compliment the institute for the outstanding wellness, teaching excellence and research aura the institute has created,” he said.

He also hailed IIT Bhubaneswar for facilitating the cream of global class education through several innovations during the pandemic and serving as a role model which the nation can be proud of. The minister inaugurated Student Activity Centre (SAC), the Play Courts, and the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Management (SHSSM) of IIT Bhubaneswar.

Speaking on the occasion, Union minister of state for education, Sanjay Dhotre said: “I am sure the students will contribute by way of innovations and research by fulfilling the dream of our Prime Minister’s visionary program: “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” by being self-reliant leading to creation of employment opportunities inside the nation.”

Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Bhubaneswar, Rajendra Prasad Singh, expressed confidence that students of the institute will be the torch bearers of nation building and pave the way for the creation of a modern and decisive India.

Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, Prof. R.V. Raja Kumar pointed out how the institute has achieved successes in all of its innovative endeavours including running the academics by holding timely classes. Conducting comprehensive exams and live convocation online has been successful.

“It is a matter of double celebration with the 9th Convocation Ceremony and Inauguration of state of the art Educational Landscapes at IIT Bhubaneswar which will add to the quality education of the students thereby creating a global class infrastructure at the Institute,” he said.

On this occasion, the IIT presented degrees to 35 PhD, 141 MTech 70 MSc and 200 BTech students. The President of India Gold Medal was awarded to Aditya Pal of the Computer Science and Engineering, Director’s Gold Medal was awarded to Sanket Dey Chowdhury of the School of Infrastructure and Souvick Chakraborty of Physics domain from the School of Basic Sciences for best academic performance.