{"id":6576,"date":"2025-09-24T13:53:47","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T08:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=6576"},"modified":"2025-09-24T13:53:47","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T08:23:47","slug":"in-a-highly-scholarly-convocation-address-dr-jitendra-singh-hails-iit-roorkee-founded-in-1847-as-asias-first-engineering-college-and-a-role-model-that-combines-research-innovation-and-societal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=6576","title":{"rendered":"In a highly scholarly Convocation address, Dr. Jitendra Singh hails IIT Roorkee, founded in 1847, as Asia’s first Engineering College and a role model that combines research, innovation and societal engagement"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a highly scholarly Convocation address, Dr. Jitendra Singh hails IIT Roorkee, founded in 1847, as Asia’s first Engineering College and a role model that combines research, innovation and societal engagement<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Even in the NIF rating released yesterday, the institution, which was earlier known as the University of Roorkee before it became IIT, was ranked no. 6 in the country, the Minister added<\/p>\n

With the advantage of it’s versatile academics and geographical location, Dr Jitendra Singh urges the institution to take up Himalayan studies ranging from Disaster management to Aromatic economy<\/p>\n

Minister Calls for Early Industry Linkages and Startup Mindset<\/p>\n

Next Industrial Revolution Will Be Biotechnology-Driven, Says Jitendra Singh at IIT Roorkee Convocation<\/p>\n

India\u2019s Growth Story Lies Beyond Metros: 50% of Startups Emerging from Smaller Towns, Highlights Jitendra Singh
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Posted On: 05 SEP 2025 4:56PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
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In a highly scholarly Convocation address, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today hailed IIT Roorkee, founded in 1847, as Asia’s first Engineering College and a role model that combines research, innovation and societal engagement.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Even in the NIF rating released yesterday, the institution, which was earlier known as the University of Roorkee before it became IIT, was ranked no. 6 in the country, the Minister added.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

With the advantage of its versatile academics and geographical location, Dr Jitendra Singh urged the institution to take up Himalayan studies ranging from Disaster management to Aromatic economy.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Delivering the convocation address as Chief Guest, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that IIT Roorkee\u2019s nearly 240 startups\u2014out of 1.7 lakh across India\u2014stand testimony to its significant contribution to the country\u2019s startup ecosystem. \u201cYour nine centres of excellence, pioneering work in disaster risk, resilience and sustainability, and your deep engagement with local communities through initiatives like Vibrant Villages make you a true role model,\u201d he said, adding that the institute\u2019s location in the Himalayas makes its role critical not only in disaster response but also in what he termed a \u201cpeacetime calendar\u201d of building resilience and growth.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Minister pointed to IIT Roorkee\u2019s recognition on multiple platforms, noting that the institute has received the “Most Innovative Institute Award by the Confederation of Indian Industry” for the fourth year in a row, along with the “Gatishakti Achiever Award for Excellence of Women in STEM”. He also congratulated the institute for securing the sixth position in the latest national rankings.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the leadership of Director Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant and Deputy Director Prof. U.P. Singh, alongside senior faculty, in steering the institute towards academic and research excellence. He also recalled the institution\u2019s legacy as India\u2019s oldest engineering college, which evolved into an IIT without having to seek the transformation, \u201ca rare example of the stature and confidence it had earned over decades.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Placing IIT Roorkee\u2019s role in the larger national context, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the government\u2019s futuristic initiatives in science and technology. He underscored India\u2019s rapid rise in the global startup landscape, now ranked third with 1.7 lakh registered ventures, and emphasized that nearly half of these come from smaller cities and towns. \u201cThis is a democratisation of opportunities, and institutions like IIT Roorkee can nurture this momentum,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Minister spoke of emerging opportunities in biotechnology, space, nuclear energy, and Himalayan resources, stressing that the next industrial revolution would be biotechnology-driven. He urged the institute to explore new domains such as biotechnology and regenerative processes while continuing its strengths in civil engineering and disaster management. He also pointed to recent government initiatives, including the Purple Revolution in lavender cultivation and new biotechnology policies under Bio-E\u00b3 (employment, environment, economy), as examples where academia and industry can work together.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Calling for early industry linkages and stronger public-private partnerships, Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged graduating students to move beyond dependence on government or corporate jobs and instead become drivers of innovation-led enterprises. He reminded them that India\u2019s recent achievements in vaccine development, space exploration, and global innovation rankings were possible through a blend of government support, private initiative, and youth talent.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou are born in the best of times,\u201d he told the graduating students. \u201cYour destiny has given you this providential privilege, and I am sure you will make the best of the opportunities that India offers today.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The ceremony was attended by Chairperson of the Board of Governors Dr. B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Director Prof. Kamal KishorePant, Deputy Director Prof. U.P.Singh, faculty members, and graduating students.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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*****<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a highly scholarly Convocation address, Dr. Jitendra Singh hails IIT Roorkee, founded in 1847, as Asia’s first Engineering College and a role model that combines research, innovation and societal engagement Even in the NIF rating released yesterday, the institution, which was earlier known as the University of Roorkee before it became IIT, was ranked …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6576","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6576","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6576"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6576\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6578,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6576\/revisions\/6578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6576"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6576"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6576"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}