Celebrating Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence at IIT Madras
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) marked its 65th Institute Day with a grand celebration that brought together students, faculty, alumni, and staff. The event, a testament to the institute's enduring legacy and commitment to excellence, featured speeches, awards, and reflections on a remarkable year of achievements.
A Year of Outstanding Achievements
One of the most significant accomplishments celebrated during the event was IIT Madras' continued accomplishment in the National Institutional Rankings Framework (NIRF). The institute secured the top spot in the 'Overall' category for the fifth consecutive year and maintained its number one position in the 'Engineering' category for the eighth consecutive year. It also earned second place in the 'Research' and 'Innovation' categories, highlighting its comprehensive excellence across various domains.
In his address, Chief Guest Dr. V. Sumantran, a distinguished alumnus and Chairman of the Board of Directors of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. (IndiGo Airlines), reflected on his time at IIT Madras and the profound impact it had on his career. "Being a student in the Aeronautics Department, our batch was typically between 9 and 12 students, and we had a personal relationship with our professors," he reminisced. Dr. Sumantran, who has had a distinguished career spanning multiple continents and industries, emphasized the institute's role in preparing him for future endeavors, including leading one of the world's most valuable airlines.
Visionary Leadership and Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Prof. Kamakoti expressed a bold vision for IIT Madras: "Next year, we aim to establish 100 start-ups and ensure that 20% of our graduating class are already Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) by the time they leave our doors." He also announced plans for expanding the institute's global footprint, including the establishment of a permanent campus in Zanzibar.
Honoring Excellence and Service
The event also recognized the extraordinary contributions of faculty and alumni. Dr. Shaligram Tiwari and Dr. Joe Thomas Karackattu received the prestigious 'Srimathi Marti Annapurna Gurunath Award for Excellence in Teaching.' The Institute Research and Development Awards (IRDA), introduced to foster research excellence, were presented to distinguished faculty members including Prof. Anubhab Roy and Prof. Tarak Kumar Patra for early-career achievements, and Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam and Prof. Basavaraj Madivala Gurappa for mid-career contributions.
The Distinguished Alumnus Awardees such as
* Shri Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary, India [1986/MT/MS];
* Prof. S. Chandrasekar, Professor, Purdue University, USA [1981/BT/ME];
* Dr. Gankidi Madhusudhan Reddy, Outstanding Scientist and Director, DMRL, DRDO, India [1999/Ph.D/MT];
* Ms. Mili Majumdar, Managing Director, Green Building Council of India and Senior Vice President U.S. Green Building Council, India [1992/MT/CE];
* Shri Sankaran Naren, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer for ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd, India [1987/BT/ME];
* Shri Venkat Rangan, CTO, Clari Inc, USA [1981/BT/ME]
received their awards on 65th Institute Day. These awards highlight the diverse and impactful careers of IIT Madras alumni, underscoring the institute's role in shaping leaders across various fields.
Other DAA Awardees:
* Prof. Anima Anandkumar, Bren Professor at Caltech, Sr. Director of AI Research at NVIDIA[2004/BT/EE];
* Prof. Vinod Vaikuntanathan, Professor at MIT, Co-founder and Chief Cryptographer of Duality Technologies [2003/BT/CS];
* Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre [2011/Ph.D/ME];
* Dr. Palanivel Veeramuthuvel, Project Director, Chandraayan 3, ISRO [2016/Ph.D/ME];
* Prof. Soundar Kumara, Allen, E & M., Pearce Professor, Pennsylvania State University [1977/MT/IM];
* Prof. Venkatraman Gopalan, Professor, Pennsylvania State University [1989/BT/MT];
* Prof. Karan Sher Singh, Professor, University of Toronto, Weta Digital, Co-Founder at JALI Research, JanusVR. [1991/BT/CS];
* Dr. GDS Ramkumar, Head of Engineering, Apple Info Apps, Apple Inc [1990/BT/CS]
Nominations for DAA and YAAA 2025 are now open. Now is your chance to nominate an extraordinary IITM batchmate.
Student Achievements and Community Contributions
Outgoing Students General Secretary Mr. Aniket Singh Patel highlighted the significant accomplishments of the student body, including the victory in the General Championship after a 12-year hiatus and the successful organization of Saarang, the institute's annual cultural festival. The student-led initiatives have played a crucial role in supporting academic and extracurricular excellence.
The combined efforts of the Shaastra (annual technical fest) and Saarang teams resulted in a substantial donation of Rs. 3,00,000/- to charitable causes, including the Deepam Trust, the United Orphanage for the Disabled, and the Ties That Bind Foundation. This act of philanthropy reflects the institute's commitment to social responsibility and community support.
Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence
As the event concluded with the presentation of various awards, including academic and non-academic honors, the spirit of IIT Madras' community was palpable. The institute's ability to balance tradition with innovation, and its unwavering commitment to excellence, continue to set it apart as a beacon of knowledge and leadership.
The 65th Institute Day was not just a celebration of past achievements but a reaffirmation of IIT Madras' vision for the future. With a legacy of nurturing talent and fostering innovation, the institute is poised to continue its journey of excellence, making significant contributions to India and the world.
The Distinguished Alumnus Awardees such as
* Shri Giridhar Aramane, Defence Secretary, India [1986/MT/MS];
* Prof. S. Chandrasekar, Professor, Purdue University, USA [1981/BT/ME];
* Dr. Gankidi Madhusudhan Reddy, Outstanding Scientist and Director, DMRL, DRDO, India [1999/Ph.D/MT];
* Ms. Mili Majumdar, Managing Director, Green Building Council of India and Senior Vice President U.S. Green Building Council, India [1992/MT/CE];
* Shri Sankaran Naren, Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer for ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd, India [1987/BT/ME];
* Shri Venkat Rangan, CTO, Clari Inc, USA [1981/BT/ME]
received their awards on 65th Institute Day. These awards highlight the diverse and impactful careers of IIT Madras alumni, underscoring the institute's role in shaping leaders across various fields.
Other DAA Awardees:
* Prof. Anima Anandkumar, Bren Professor at Caltech, Sr. Director of AI Research at NVIDIA[2004/BT/EE];
* Prof. Vinod Vaikuntanathan, Professor at MIT, Co-founder and Chief Cryptographer of Duality Technologies [2003/BT/CS];
* Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre [2011/Ph.D/ME];
* Dr. Palanivel Veeramuthuvel, Project Director, Chandraayan 3, ISRO [2016/Ph.D/ME];
* Prof. Soundar Kumara, Allen, E & M., Pearce Professor, Pennsylvania State University [1977/MT/IM];
* Prof. Venkatraman Gopalan, Professor, Pennsylvania State University [1989/BT/MT];
* Prof. Karan Sher Singh, Professor, University of Toronto, Weta Digital, Co-Founder at JALI Research, JanusVR. [1991/BT/CS];
* Dr. GDS Ramkumar, Head of Engineering, Apple Info Apps, Apple Inc [1990/BT/CS]
Nominations for DAA and YAAA 2025 are now open. Now is your chance to nominate an extraordinary IITM batchmate.
Student Achievements and Community Contributions
Outgoing Students General Secretary Mr. Aniket Singh Patel highlighted the significant accomplishments of the student body, including the victory in the General Championship after a 12-year hiatus and the successful organization of Saarang, the institute's annual cultural festival. The student-led initiatives have played a crucial role in supporting academic and extracurricular excellence.
The combined efforts of the Shaastra (annual technical fest) and Saarang teams resulted in a substantial donation of Rs. 3,00,000/- to charitable causes, including the Deepam Trust, the United Orphanage for the Disabled, and the Ties That Bind Foundation. This act of philanthropy reflects the institute's commitment to social responsibility and community support.
Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence
As the event concluded with the presentation of various awards, including academic and non-academic honors, the spirit of IIT Madras' community was palpable. The institute's ability to balance tradition with innovation, and its unwavering commitment to excellence, continue to set it apart as a beacon of knowledge and leadership.
The 65th Institute Day was not just a celebration of past achievements but a reaffirmation of IIT Madras' vision for the future. With a legacy of nurturing talent and fostering innovation, the institute is poised to continue its journey of excellence, making significant contributions to India and the world.
