IIT Gandhinagar celebrates 15th foundation day; director unveils iconic images of campus

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Gandhinagar, celebrated its 15th foundation day on August 5. The students put up various events such as dance, musical and theatrical performances on the occasion.

Former chairperson of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, FSSAI, Rita Teaotia, who was the chief guest, said: “All of you (students) are going to shape the future of the country as professionals, hence it is important that you understand the urgent need for climate-resilient development and make the right choices and decisions as engineers and professionals to shape the world around you.”

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Rita Teaotia talked about the need for pairing engineering education with liberal arts discipline with deep commitment and said: “To make our graduates equipped with required skills for employment, the National Education Policy recommends the integration of liberal arts education because it prepares one not only for their first job but also for their entire career. With the coming of the fourth industrial revolution and the rapidly-changing employment landscape, liberal arts education is more important and useful for one’s employment than ever before.

The IIT Gandhinagar was established in 2008 at a temporary campus in Vishwakarma Government Engineering College, Chandkheda, Ahmedabad. The Institute is included among the best 20 higher institutes of the country in the National Institute Ranking Framework, NIRF 2023.

More than 2,200 students are studying at the IIT Gandhinagar, which is spread over 400-acre zero-waste campus on the banks of the river Sabarmati. The Institute is recognised as a leader in educational innovations, which have been lauded nationally and internationally. It has won numerous other awards in the areas of academics and campus development.

On the occasion, IIT Gandhinagar director, Rajat Moona, said: “The entire journey of the institute has been remarkable and has culminated in such a way that today we can talk of it as an example for others. Our education is inclusive and student-oriented.”

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He also unveiled a calendar with iconic images of the institute campus. The event also included an exhibition gallery that highlighted the transformation and growth of the institute over the last 15 years through an interesting display of posters, photographs, and rangolis. The student cultural council and various clubs organised various other activities for the community, including competitions for short stories, slam poetry, art, and meme-making. The evening ended with enthralling dance, musical, and theatrical performances presented by students as well as faculty and staff members of IIT Gandhinagar.

Manoj Choudhary, vice-chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya; Pankajray Patel, former in-charge vice-chancellor, Gujarat Technological University; Shailendra Saraf, director, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ahmedabad; and Sonal Bhatawadekar, director, Software Technology Parks of India were present on the occasion.