IIT Mandi honours graduates with over 600 degrees at its 13th convocation

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi held its 13th convocation ceremony on Thursday at its beautiful North Campus located in the Kamand Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The event marked an important moment in the institute’s journey as a rising centre of technology, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Western Himalayan region. Every year, the institute continues to strengthen its academic standards and research achievements, and this year’s convocation once again highlighted these growing accomplishments.

A total of 604 students received their degrees, reflecting the institute’s steady expansion and its success in attracting dedicated learners from across the country. The degrees included 71 PhD, 245 postgraduate, and 288 BTech awards. One notable highlight was the strong participation of women, with more than 25% of the graduating batch being female, a sign of increasing diversity and progress toward gender inclusion in the fields of science and technology.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished leaders from India’s scientific and academic communities. Professor Shekhar C. Mande, former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was the chief guest, and he delivered the convocation address. In addition, the event was graced by Jagannath Nayak, Director of the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) at DRDO, and Professor Budaraju Srinivasa Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, who attended as guests of honour. The ceremony was chaired by Professor Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, who congratulated the graduating class for their hard work and achievements.

Guests highlight innovation, values, and responsibility

In his inspiring convocation address, Professor Mande spoke about the need for innovation that supports sustainable development. He encouraged students to approach the future with curiosity and responsibility, reminding them that technology should always serve society. He urged the graduates to combine scientific progress with compassion, empathy, and ethical leadership. According to him, the challenges faced by India and the world today—whether environmental, technological, or social—can only be solved through creative thinking and strong values. He also praised IIT Mandi for creating an academic environment that promotes meaningful and community-focused research.

Professor Nayak and Professor Murty also appreciated the institute’s efforts to build strong research networks and promote innovation-driven learning. They highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary work, which is becoming increasingly essential as problems faced by society no longer belong to a single field. They applauded IIT Mandi for being a young institute that has already made a strong national impact in areas such as engineering, data science, material sciences, robotics, and sustainability.

The director of IIT Mandi, Professor Behera, expressed deep pride in the graduating students. He spoke about how the institute has grown into a vibrant community of thinkers, innovators, and researchers in just over a decade. He noted that IIT Mandi is committed to bridging high-end scientific work with human values, ensuring that technological development remains meaningful and socially relevant.

He said, “IIT Mandi continues to nurture a vibrant ecosystem of learning and innovation in the Himalayas. Over the years, IIT Mandi has established itself as a hub of interdisciplinary research that connects technological advancements with human values. Our graduates are not only outstanding engineers and scientists but also individuals who work with sensitivity and social awareness. They contribute to sustainability and regional development through their innovative ideas and hard work.”

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Institute’s growing reputation and future aspirations

The 13th convocation demonstrated the institute’s increasing reputation at the national level. Over the years, IIT Mandi has developed strong collaborations with industry, government organisations, and global research institutions. This growth has allowed the institute to provide its students with new opportunities, whether through advanced labs, startup ecosystems, or international exposure. The presence of high-profile guests also highlighted IIT Mandi’s rising stature as a centre that supports world-class learning and research.

One major reason for IIT Mandi’s progress is its focus on interdisciplinary education. Instead of limiting students to traditional engineering divisions, the institute encourages them to explore multiple fields, such as biotechnology, computation, energy systems, materials science, and environmental engineering. This approach prepares students to address complex modern challenges, such as climate change, rural development, health technology, and artificial intelligence.

The Kamand Valley campus itself contributes to this learning experience. Surrounded by mountains, rivers, and green landscapes, the environment motivates students to think creatively and connect scientific ideas with nature. The institute also works closely with the local community to promote development and sustainability in the region.

Many graduates from IIT Mandi have already made their mark in research, startups, industries, and public service. The alumni network continues to grow, inspiring current students to pursue excellence in their own paths. With several innovation labs, entrepreneurship cells, and technology clusters, the institute is preparing the next generation of leaders, researchers, and problem-solvers.

The success of the 13th convocation is a reminder of how fast the institute has grown in a short span of time. The event not only celebrated the achievements of the students but also reaffirmed IIT Mandi’s commitment to advancing education, research, and innovation in India. As the graduates move forward with their new degrees, they carry the institute’s values with them—creativity, compassion, and a dedication to solving real-world problems.