IIT Ropar awards degrees to 761 students at 15th convocation; redesigns UG curriculum

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar awarded degrees to 761 students across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes during its 15th convocation held on Thursday. The institute also announced a redesigned undergraduate curriculum, new academic programmes, expanded research collaborations and infrastructure projects.

According to the institute's press release, the graduating batch included 377 Bachelor of Technology (BTech), 177 Master of Technology (MTech), 65 Master of Science (MSc), one Bachelor of Science (BSc), one diploma and 140 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholars.

Padma Shri awardee and Solar Industries India Limited founder and chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal attended the ceremony as the chief guest. IIT Ropar Board of Governors chairman Adil Zainulbhai presided over the event, while director Rajeev Ahuja presented the institute's annual report.

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Presenting the Director's Report, Ahuja said IIT Ropar has redesigned its undergraduate curriculum for the 2026-27 academic session to offer greater flexibility to students. Under the revised structure, students will complete their core courses by the end of the third year and spend the remaining period pursuing electives, internships, research projects or startup initiatives.

The institute has also introduced an interdisciplinary integrated dual degree programme and launched a one-year postgraduate diploma in UAV operations and drone technology in partnership with Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University.

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IIT Ropar expands research, defence collaborations

Highlighting the institute's research activities, Ahuja said IIT Ropar is currently handling 616 sponsored research projects and around 1,130 industrial consultancy projects.

He said the institute strengthened its defence research through two projects from the Army Technology Board and a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Air Force.

The institute's AgriTech initiative, ANNAM.AI , also expanded its activities through the AgriAI Global Summit, a hackathon organised with Syngenta in France and the deployment of hyperlocal weather stations across Punjab.

On infrastructure development, IIT Ropar has started construction of a new 500-seat girls' hostel and a new lecture hall complex.

Chief guest urges graduates to become builders

Addressing the graduating students, Nuwal encouraged them to pursue challenging opportunities instead of seeking comfortable careers.

"Your background does not decide your ceiling. Your persistence does," he said.

He further added, "India does not need more people chasing comfortable jobs. It needs builders. It needs people willing to enter difficult, unglamorous, heavily regulated fields and stay there long enough to master them."

Board of Governors chairman Adil Zainulbhai highlighted the opportunities available for young graduates, noting that IIT Ropar itself was established only in 2008.

"There has never been a better time to graduate in India than right now," he said, urging students to "go where the hard problems are, even if the path is less obvious than the one everyone else is taking."

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Congratulating the graduating class, Ahuja reminded students that education extends beyond academic achievement.

"I want to remind you that real education is a balanced blend of acquiring knowledge and developing character and values. This balance will guide you throughout your lives," he said.

The convocation concluded with the institute reaffirming its commitment to strengthening research-driven, inclusive education while continuing investments in academic infrastructure and research and development facilities.