IIT-M celebrates Institute Day

There are no easy routes to success. But a methodical approach could lead up to it.

At the 59th Institute Day of the Indian Institute of Technology – Madras celebrated on Thursday, B. Santhanam, president and managing director of Saint Gobain India, told the graduands imbibing certain qualities such as being non-judgemental, remaining deeply focused in their task, staying curious, collaborating, networking and building contacts would help them in the long run.

“Build contacts, it enhances quality and the chances of good opportunities. Network amplifies your power of reach. You have to practise but there is no deadline,” he told the outgoing students.

The 12 distinguished alumni who were honoured by the Institute for their achievement had internalised these guiding principles which made them successful in their chosen field, he said.

In the past decade, the institute had raised its standard and output in research, deepened its industry connect and leveraged the alumni network, which had enhanced its reputation and had resulted in it being ranked as the best engineering institution for three consecutive years by NIRF, he said.

In his presidential address, Institute director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said the Institute had made its mark as a key contributor in building the nation. “We are probably the first institute to have set up a full-fledged development office to raise resources,” he said.

He presented the distinguished alumnus awards and the academic awards to 21 research scholars, which include a merit certificate and 20,000. The Extra Mural Lecture series Yearbook (a students’ initiative) was also released on the occasion.

The funds raised through the Institute’s cultural festival Saarang 2018 were donated to two organisations – Deepam Trust and Chudar Foundation.