Inspiration Ignites at IIT Madras Convocation

Nobel Laureate Brian K Kobilka highlighted the power of perseverance at IIT Madras' 61st convocation, where 2,636 students graduated. The event also saw ISRO Chairman S Somanath receive his PhD. Notable awards were granted to students for academic excellence and overall proficiency.

At the 61st convocation of IIT Madras, Nobel Laureate Brian K Kobilka emphasized that even an average individual can reach remarkable success through persistence, hard work, and support from loved ones. Kobilka, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2012, showcased his career as evidence of this assertion.

The occasion saw 2,636 students receive their degrees, with a highlight being ISRO Chairman S Somanath awarded a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. A total of 3,016 degrees, including joint and dual degrees, were conferred. Among these were 444 PhDs, including Joint Degree PhDs with foreign universities from Australia, Singapore, France, and Germany.

During the event, Dhananjay Balakrishnan received the Governor’s Prize for best all-round proficiency in a dual degree in Mechanical Engineering. Other notable awardees included C Aditya, who won the President of India Prize, and K V Vikram, recipient of the Sri V Srinivasan Memorial Prize. Chairman Pawan Goenka stressed the crucial role the graduating class will play in advancing India’s technological and innovation landscape.