Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Padma Bhushan awardee and HCL co-founder Ajai Chowdhry, in his address at the 13th Convocation of IIT Indore on Saturday, emphasised the need for India to evolve from its image as a “middle-income country” to a global leader in technology and innovation.
“We need to imagine a new India—one that leads in design and manufacturing, not just services,” he said. Chowdhry warned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is significantly altering the job market, especially in the software services sector, with reduced job opportunities and declining salary packages. To stay competitive, he urged India to focus on building technology products and reducing dependence on foreign innovation.
He highlighted that India’s engineers and scientists must take the lead in this transformation. “We must become creators of technology, not just consumers. Our achievements in space and atomic energy prove that we can innovate even when technology is denied to us,” he said.
The convocation ceremony was attended by IIM Indore director Prof. Himanshu Rai, members of the Board of Governors and distinguished guests.
Specialised MTech programme for Army officers
IIT Indore director Prof. Suhas S. Joshi said that IIT Indore will initiate a two-year MTech program in Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence for officers of the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE).
Designed by IIT Indore’s Centre for Futuristic Defence and Space Technology, the course aims to boost technology absorption in defence. Thirty Army officers will join the first batch in July 2025, marking a new era in military-academia collaboration.
Graduated students cheering loud with a victory sign | Anand Shivre
New academic programmes IIT Indore is also introducing:
* An MTech in Electrical Engineering with a specialisation in Power Systems and Power Electronics
* An MTech in Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, focusing on Biomedical Devices
* A two-year MA in English Literature and Linguistics, with specialisations in Digital Humanities, Medical Humanities, Applied Linguistics, and Language Documentation
* A four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) under the National Initiative for Design Innovation, offering tracks in Urban Systems Innovation, Education Technology, Healthcare Systems, and Sustainable Energy Systems
Major Grants and Research Roadmap
* Under the ANRF Peer Programme, a ₹ 100 crore proposal has been approved to establish a Hub-and-Spoke Research Mentorship Network with six institutions across Central India. This includes ₹55 crore for equipment and recruitment of 100 PhD and postdoctoral researchers.
* A Technology Translation Research Park in Digital Healthcare under the NMICPS Mission, with ₹150 crore funding
* An additional ₹10 crore grant from the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers to support the biomedical devices programme
9,500 research papers, 96 patents granted
Prof. Joshi highlighted that the institute has published over 9,500 research papers, undertaken 800+ R&D projects worth ₹450 crore, and filed 208 patents, of which 96 have been granted internationally, including in the US and China. The institute also released the second edition of its Handbook of Ideas, Innovations, and Technologies, featuring 200+ indigenous innovations.
Massive ₹1,500 crore expansion underway
IIT Indore is undergoing infrastructure expansion worth ₹1,500 crore over the next 3–4 years. Key developments include:
* Three new hostels (750-capacity each)
* Academic and residential buildings
* An Olympic-standard sports complex
* A ₹624 crore grant for new academic and research facilities
Convocation awards and student achievements
This year, 813 students were awarded degrees across various programmes:
* 340 B.Tech
* 132 M.Tech
* 106 M.Sc.
* 131 Ph.D.
* 75 MSDSM
* 28 MS (Research)
* 1 B.Tech-M.Tech dual degree
Medals Awarded:
* President of India Gold Medal: Kadam Madhav Mukund (B.Tech, CSE)
* Best All-Rounder Institute Gold Medal: Aditya Guhagarkar (B.Tech, Electrical Engineering)
* VPP Menon Gold Medal: Dr. Justy Joseph
* Agam Prasad Memorial Gold Medal: Dr. Tanmay Vyas
* Ganti Subba Rao & Ganti Venkata Ramani Gold Medal: Dr. Aditya Anshul
Eight other silver medals were awarded to meritorious students from various departments.
