IIT Kanpur celebrates 65th Foundation Day with union defence minister; 18 alumni members conferred awards

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur celebrated its 65th Foundation Day on November 2, 2024. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, emphasizing the importance of innovation in defence and technology. The event highlighted the contributions of its alumni, faculty, students, and staff in academia, industry, and society.

The celebrations featured a special event focused on defence innovation, aligning with India's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). Minister Singh visited a Defence Research, Product, and Incubation Showcase organized by the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur.

Solutions from 23 startups

The showcase highlighted groundbreaking solutions from 23 startups incubated at SIIC, presenting advancements in areas such as autonomous systems, AI-driven surveillance, and next-generation communication tools. Singh engaged with founders and research teams, commending their contributions to national security.

Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge of SIIC, noted that the startups are dedicated to developing solutions that address national defence needs while setting new standards in technology and research. The day also featured key discussions on India's latest defence initiatives, including iDEX’s DISC 12 and Aditi 2.0, providing valuable insights into the landscape of defence innovation.

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During the event, several strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to enhance partnerships, including collaborations with BEML and HAL aimed at advancing military logistics and defence innovation, as well as a partnership with Kanpur University to strengthen incubation efforts. Samir Kamat, Secretary of DDR&D and Chairman of DRDO, presented sanction letters for six transformative projects funded by DRDO, while SIDBI’s Matching Offer for iDEX-funded startups provided essential financial support.

Awards for 18 alumni members

A commemorative tree planting ceremony, led by Rajnath Singh, symbolized IIT Kanpur's enduring legacy in technological advancement and its commitment to sustainability. In his address, Defence Minister Singh shared his vision for a self-reliant and innovative India. He urged the youth to lead the country towards technological self-reliance, particularly in critical sectors such as defence.

“Institutions like IIT Kanpur are driving us forward in this technology-driven transformation,” he remarked, highlighting the need for collaboration between academia, industry, and the government to secure India's place as a leader in high-end technology.

The event culminated with the recognition of 18 distinguished alumni for their impactful contributions, including Distinguished Alumnus Awards, Distinguished Services Awards, Young Alumnus Awards, and Institute Fellow Awards. Each award reflected IIT Kanpur’s commitment to excellence and innovation.