IIT Madras' 61st Convocation Held; 2,636 Students Graduated

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras held its 61st convocation on July 19, 2024. A total of 2,636 students graduated and nearly 3,016 degrees (both Joint and Dual Degrees) were conferred to the students. A total of 444 PhDs were awarded, which included PhDs, Joint Degree PhDs with foreign institutions, and Dual Degree PhDs. S. Somanath, Chairman, ISRO also received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering during the convocation.

Dr. Brian K. Kobilka, the 2012 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, was the Chief Guest. Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, of the Board of Governors, at IIT Madras, presided over the Convocation. Dr. Brian K. Kobilka and Robert Lefkowitz discovered the receptors that are majorly used by medicines as a target.

The Nobel laureate emphasized hard work, persistence, friends, and family support, and a bit of luck to achieve success by an average man. While recalling his journey the chief guest said that five factors including passion, role model, finding his own strengths and weaknesses, balance in life and family life and not fearing failure played an important part in his success. He also shared his 21 year journey on working with G-protein coupled receptors and learning from continuous failures.

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IIT Madras, awarded degrees to 2,636 graduates including 764 B.Tech (of whom 27 with Honours), 277 Dual Degree B.Tech and M.Tech, 481 M.Tech, 151 M.Sc, 42 M.A, 50 Executive MBA, 84 MBA, 236 M.S, and 107  Web-enabled M.Tech for executives. The above PhD numbers also include 07 joint degrees with universities in foreign countries including Australia, Singapore, France and Germany.

Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Madras, congratulated students and while talking about the growing economy emphasised upon the opportunities and PM Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat – a developed India by 2047. To realise this vision the burden lies on our shoulder through collective actions, of government, industries, entrepreneurs and professional like you, he said. Dr. Goenka also mentioned the importance of failure in a human life that is essential by going beyond the comfort zone.

He further added the progress and role of digital, fintech, space research, health-tech and other areas towards Viksit Bharat. “The road to Viksit Bharat will come from Technology and Innovation. And this is where you, the graduating class of IIT Madras, can play a big role. You can create building blocks of inclusive growth by leveraging technology. India needs robust, accessible, and innovative technology solutions. Young Indians like you will be the architects, the builders, the dreamers, and the doers of Viksit Bharat. You are the ones who will bridge the gap between the aspirations and reality, who will tackle the challenges of tomorrow, and who will transform this vision into action. Hence, as you leave these prestigious halls, remember, you’re not just engineers or technologists; you are the visionaries, the creators, and the architects of our future”, he said.

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras presented the Director’s Report and said that this year IIT Madras filed a total 419 patents both nationally and internationally. The IITM Incubation Cell marked the jubilant beginning of 2024 with a total portfolio of 365 startups, valued at 45,000 crores, he said. The goal of fiscal year 2024-25 is to incubate 100 more, focusing on areas including space, manufacturing, robotics, Assistive Tech, climate-tech and fintech and AI.

In 2023-24, the institute received snaction for 331 ministry-sponsored projects worth Rs 568 crores, 883 consultancy and industry-sponsored research projects with worth 584 crores which includes 130 internationa projects funded by foreing entities, IITM Director said.

IIT Madras established Wadhwani School of Data Science & AI and School of Interdisciplinary Studies. The Department of Data Science and AI is housed in the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI, funded by an IIT Madras alumnus Sunil Wadhwani.

The International Interdisciplinary Master’s degree programs (I2MP) was launched in 2022 with innovative curricula to equip students with cutting-edge expertise and skills.  The first batch of I2MP is graduating at this Convocation.