There has been a five-fold increase in the funds received for research and development (R&D) activities at the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) over a decade, revealed a report presented by Devang Khakhar, IIT-B director, at the institute’s 53rd convocation ceremony on Saturday. Nobel peace prize winner and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi was the chief guest.
Last year, the institute received Rs 249.18 crore as against Rs 50 crore in 2005-06 for R&D projects, “Several government organisations have supported research projects with their lion’s share of 70% of the total funds received last year. Around 20% of the funds were from leading industrial houses across the globe. We expect this to be a growing trend in coming years,” said Khakhar.
The convocation saw 2,389 students receiving their degrees. “In order to serve your country, you should adopt a 3D formula to dream, discover and deliver. The students of top institutes such as IIT-B should be global leaders in their own fields to resolve global problems such as climate change,” said Satyarthi in his address to fresh graduates.
Stating that globally there are around 168 million full-time child labourers, Satyarthi spoke of starting a mission through which “millions of educated people across the globe will educate at least one illiterate person. It is a big challenge.”
{{/usCountry}}Stating that globally there are around 168 million full-time child labourers, Satyarthi spoke of starting a mission through which “millions of educated people across the globe will educate at least one illiterate person. It is a big challenge.”
{{/usCountry}}Anand Mahindra, chairman and managing director of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited was conferred with a Degree of Doctor of Science (Honnoris Causa) for his contribution to the automobile industry and India’s social development.
“Students should become campaigners of innovative imagination. For sustained growth of education in India, questioning needs to be encouraged and failure is to be embraced,” said Mahindra.
The President of India medal for academic excellence was conferred to Ashwin R from the Electrical Engineering (BTech) branch. Stating the institute continued to remain sought after, Khakhar said, “This academic year, all top 10 rankers joined IIT-B.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award 2014-15’ was given to Professor Dinesh K Sharma from the electrical engineering department.