IIT Delhi kicks off diamond jubilee celebrations

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’  inaugurated the year-long Diamond Jubilee celebrations of IIT Delhi via video conferencing. Naidu released the Diamond Jubilee logo and the institute’s strategy document- ‘IIT Delhi- Setting the Vision and Direction for 2030'.

New Delhi: Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu and HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriya 'Nishank' inaugurated the year-long Diamond Jubilee celebrations of IIT Delhi via video conferencing on Monday.

Chief guest Naidu released the Diamond Jubilee logo and the institute’s strategy document- ‘IIT Delhi- Setting the Vision and Direction for 2030’.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu congratulated IIT Delhi for completing the 60 years of journey and for the numerous contributions the institute has made for the national development, “IIT Delhi has made rapid strides in the last six decades and today is counted among the reputed institutions in the world. It is also recognised by the Government of India as an ‘Institution of Eminence’. It is heartening to note that over half of India's Unicorns have come out of this single institute. I am aware that IIT Delhi graduates are present across the world and have made an impact in different spheres of life, be it as technocrats, researchers and scientists or as writers and even as politicians. I am told that IIT Delhi is laying great emphasis on internationalisation, interdisciplinary research and industry connect. These steps are very important for our institutions to improve their international standing and become visible to the industry and the society by providing solutions to problems.”

Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu further said, “I am told that the institute is planning to file over 200 patents this year as against 153 patents filed in 2019. I am also happy to note that IIT Delhi has emerged as a leader in the entrepreneurship space in the country. It is good to note that Institutions such as IIT Delhi are producing job providers rather than job seekers and becoming trendsetters for other institutions in the country. I have also been informed that IIT Delhi is the first institution in the country to launch an endowment fund and the alumni of IIT Delhi are following the motto of giving back to the country. That indeed reflects the essence of India’s culture of sharing and caring. I feel that it is the duty of every Indian, who achieved success, fame and wealth in life, to give back to the society and the country. One should never forget one’s native place and the motherland.”

The Hon'ble Vice President of India concluded by praising IIT Delhi, the national coordinating institute for the MHRD’s flagship pprogramme Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), for playing a strong catalytic role. The UBA already has over 2000 Participating Institutions (PIs) and these institutions have adopted more than 10,000 villages.

Hon’ble Union HRD Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ while congratulating IIT Delhi on its Diamond Jubilee said that the institute’s journey of glorious 60 years is of a great pride and inspiration for the entire country.

While appreciating IIT Delhi’s COVID-19 research initiatives, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said, “The contributions of IIT Delhi in meeting the national challenge of fighting COVID-19 through technological support are praiseworthy. From developing the world’s cheapest RT-PCR-based COVID-19 diagnostic kit to supplying over 40 lakh PPEs to India and the world, the institute’s researchers have done a remarkable job.”

The Hon’ble Minister added, “I am happy to note that over 500 patents have been filed by IIT Delhi faculty and students in the last 5 years in addition to publishing over 10000 research papers in peer reviewed international journals in the same period. IIT Delhi Research Project funding from competitive research grants has also grown 4 times in the last 5 years, from 100 crores per year in 2016 to over Rs. 400 crores in 2019.”

Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ further said, “I have also learnt that the IIT Delhi has by far the best eco-system for start-ups in the country. I feel proud that IIT Delhi alumni have created close to 800 start-ups, the highest in the country as compared to alumni of any other institute. Of the close to 30 unicorns created by Indians, 15 of them are by IIT Delhi alumni alone. IIT Delhi alumni led start-ups have created over 30 million jobs and raised USD 19 Billion in investments and have been the trend setters in the country as well as in the world.”

IIT Delhi- Setting the Vision and Direction for 2030

While IIT Delhi already occupies a pre-eminent position among universities in India, it has the potential to transform and compete on a global scale by further enhancing its research quality, technology development and opportunities for commercialization. The institute’s approach towards this goal will be anchored around the pursuit of all-round excellence, with adequate but not disproportionate attention to rankings.

To achieve this transformation, IIT Delhi has set five bold aspirations for 2030 in consultation with the IIT Delhi community, alumni and the Endowment Fund’s contributors.

The five bold aspirations include: Drive Research Excellence, Enhance Educational Experience and Employability, Attain Global Competitiveness in Select Technology Areas, Sustain Global Leadership in Entrepreneurship and Contribute to Society and the Country.

IIT Delhi has also identified five big moves that will help the institute achieve its aspirations. These five big moves include: Strengthen Teaching and Research, Invest in Technology Leadership in Select Areas, Revamp Industry Engagement, Set Up a World-Class Entrepreneurship Centre for Alumni, Students, and Faculty and Build Strong Alumni Engagement Team.

Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Director, IIT Delhi while speaking on the occasion of inauguration of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations expressed his gratitude to the Hon'ble Vice President of India for inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the institute and to the Hon’ble Union HRD Minister for his gracious presence as the Guest of Honor.

Prof V. Ramgopal Rao said, “With the vision for 2030 in place, IIT Delhi is on the road to its next phase of growth. The successful achievement of its vision will positively impact the lives of students, alumni, faculty and staff, while shaping the progress of our nation for decades to come.”

Prof. Rao added, “In the next phase of growth, the target is to touch a billion lives through IIT Delhi technologies.”

He also thanked McKinsey & Co. for working with IIT Delhi faculty, staff, alumni and students on a pro bono basis to develop the strategy document.

The second session of the Diamond Jubilee inaugural ceremony witnessed Inaugural Talks by Prof. Devang Khakhar, Distinguished Alumnus & Former Director, IIT Bombay and by Prof. M. Balakrishnan, Vice Chancellor, Satya Bharti Institute of Technology & Professor (On Leave), CSE, IIT Delhi.

A panel discussion was also organised on "IIT Delhi: Reminiscing 60 Years of Excellence and Way Forward " in which former Directors of IIT Delhi Prof. V. S. Raju, Prof. R. S. Sirohi, Prof. Surendra Prasad and Prof. R. K. Shevgaonkar participated.