IITs are expected to steer the country ahead through innovation, says officer

“Premier institutions of higher education like THE Indian Institutes of Technology are the pride of the nation. They are expected to steer the country ahead through innovation,” Union Science and Technology Secretary Abhay Karandikar said in Dharwad on Saturday.

He was delivering the convocation lecture at IIT Dharwad.

“The Union government is throwing the highest focus on institutions like IITs. India now hosts the world’s third-largest research ecosystem. There has been a growth in high-impact scientific publications and research output in the recent decades,” Prof. Karandikar said.

He said that the country’s dynamic growth trajectory is a result of significant investments in research, including the recent allocation of ₹1 lakh crore for research and development.

He urged young graduates to focus not just on developing cutting-edge technologies but also on crafting policy interventions that can bring meaningful change to society.

He said that India’s science and technology landscape is transformative and that it is central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. “It is in such a situation that national institutions like IITs will play a pivotal role,” he said.

During the convocation, the President of India Gold Medal was awarded to Pomaje Rishabh Sharad from the Electrical Engineering Department, while the Director’s Gold Medal was awarded to Abhiram K. from the Engineering Physics Department.

IIT Goa Director Dhirendra Katti spoke on the evolving role of engineering in addressing pressing local and global challenges.

“Today’s engineers must engage with complex issues such as climate change, public health, clean energy, ethical artificial intelligence and the disruptions brought by rapid technological advancement,” he said.

Prof. Katti urged students to pursue solutions that are not only innovative but also socially and ethically responsible.

He called for collective efforts towards building an equitable and sustainable future, encouraging graduates to contribute to designing effective water management systems and fostering collaborations across disciplines.

IIT Dharwad Director Venkappayya Desai presented the institute’s annual report and said that the focus is on overall academic growth, research excellence and a vibrant campus life.

Member of the Board of Governors S.S. Murthy presided over the convocation.

A total of 227 degrees, 164 B.Tech, 30 M.Tech, 13 MS and 20 Ph.D, were awarded at the event.