SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Dec 4: The Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra on Sunday organised the 32nd Convocation Ceremony for a total of 1532 UG, PG and PhD students on December 4.
The institute distributed degrees to 859 from UG, 598 from PG and 75 Ph.D. holders from the session 2018-22 on the occasion. At the same time, 10 out of 11 gold medalists from different UG departments were awarded at the occasion.
S Somnath, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was present as the chief guest, while the chancellor-cum-Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais was present as a special guest on the occasion.
The programme began with an address from C K Birla, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIT Mesra. While addressing the students, Birla, in a recorded video said, “You are at the beginning of a splendid professional career. I encourage each one of you to explore the world, work on innovative ideas, and use wisdom to achieve higher goals in life. If the road to success brings any disappointments, be resilient, and let it make you stronger.”
Birla further added that BIT Mesra has been committed to high-quality research with outstanding facilities and a supportive environment for its faculty members.
“BIT has stayed true to its vision of imparting world-class engineering education in the country and contributing immensely not only to the engineering profession but also to the growth of our nation,” he added.
Chief Guest, S Somanath, Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Dept of Space, GoI, after congratulating students for their achievements, said, “Now space has become accessible to citizens, students and researchers in academic institutions, and government and private sector users. One of the government’s objectives is to encourage startups and academic institutions towards the space sector to make India a space hub.”
“Under IN-SPACe, the private parties are allowed to perform space activities and use equipment and ISRO facilities for launch capability development and rapid deployment of satellites and space-based services,” he added.
He further talked of NEP 2020 and how its implementation would improve education to inherit scientific culture naturally, which will in turn help as innovations in Science are the important requirements for the economic advancement of a country.
Chancellor-cum-Jharkhand Governor Ramesh Bais, in his address to the students, said, “Every technical educational institution should strive for continuous promotion in the field of innovation and creativity. I believe that this institute will be known as a leading institute in promoting quality education and research. We have to encourage innovation and creativity.”
He also asked students to contribute to the development of the country and society with the knowledge and skills gained from the institution. The governor further added that education should not be limited to getting a degree or getting job training.
“Its real importance is to contribute to the development of the nation as a better, responsible citizen. It should also be the duty of educational institutions to awaken the consciousness among the students, instil the hunger to do better in life, to inculcate self-reliance in them and to give them a complete personality.”
Indranil Manna, vice chancellor, BIT Mesra presented an institute activity report, where he discussed in detail the new initiatives and reforms made by the institute; NAAC, NBA, AICTE and UGC and the approvals and gradation from them; social services rendered by BIT including vaccination, dispensaries among others; research grants, some even provided through external sponsoring agencies; MoUs and collaborations; the G P Birla scholarship provided by the institute to underprivileged students; and new equipment and laboratories added in BIT Mesra.
Prof Manna further talked of clubs and societies in the institute and achievements of students and faculty members, both on national and international levels; innovation and entrepreneurship-related activities; seminars and interactive sessions by professionals; achievements of NCC, NSS and Rajbhasha Cell; the role of BIT in implementing NEP 2020; BITMAA – Birla Institute of Technology Mesra Alumni Association; placement summary and ISRE (Immersive Summer Research Experience Programme).
