IIT Roorkee Snippets
September, 2025
September, 2025
Dear Esteemed Alumni,
Greetings from IIT Roorkee!
We are delighted to share the Snippets for September 2025. This month, the institute celebrated its 25th Convocation, conferring 2,614 degrees (1,267 UG, 847 PG, 500 PhD). The ceremony, graced by Hon’ble Dr. Jitendra Singh and Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, was followed by a splendid awards event where distinguished alumnus Sri Pankaj Agarwal honored graduates with medals and awards instituted by generous donors and alumni.
On behalf of the DoRA Office, I extend my warm wishes for a joyous and prosperous Diwali. May these updates strengthen your connection with IIT Roorkee and its growing legacy. Wishing you a wonderful festive season ahead.
Best regards,
Prof. R.D. Garg
Dean of Resources & Alumni Affairs (DORA)
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
IIT Roorkee’s 25th Convocation was a proud celebration of the institute’s 178-year legacy. A total of 2,614 degrees were awarded to the graduating class, comprising 1,267 UG, 847 PG, and 500 PhD degrees. This year marked a significant milestone for inclusion, with women making up 23% of the graduates and a threefold increase in female PhD scholars. The ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Hon’ble Dr. Jitendra Singh and Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, who inspired the students to lead with purpose and innovation. The event underscored the institute's commitment to shaping a future aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
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In a splendid ceremony following the Convocation 2025, IIT Roorkee honored its graduates with various medals and awards. The event was graced by the distinguished alumnus and chief guest, Sri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of India. The awards, instituted by generous donors and alumni, recognize excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities. The institute expressed its gratitude to all contributors for their invaluable support in celebrating the achievements of the students.
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On the occasion of Teachers’ Day 2025, IIT Roorkee proudly conferred the prestigious Ramkumar Prize for Outstanding Teaching & Research to Prof. Gopinath Packirisamy from the Department of Bioscience and Bioengineering, in recognition of his exemplary contributions to academia and research. The award highlights his dedication to advancing knowledge, inspiring students, and fostering a culture of innovation. Prof. Packirisamy’s remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence reflect the true spirit of the institute’s values, making this honor a fitting tribute on a day that celebrates the vital role of teachers in shaping future generations.
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IIT Roorkee has once again secured the No. 1 position in the Architecture & Planning category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. This achievement marks the fifth consecutive year of the institute’s top ranking, underscoring its consistent leadership and commitment to academic excellence. The recognition is a testament to the faculty, students, and staff for upholding the institute's strong legacy and innovative approach to sustainable architecture and urban planning.
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Prof. M.L. Sharma from the Department of Earthquake Engineering has been honored with the National Geoscience Award 2024 by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. This prestigious award recognizes his outstanding contributions to Geoscience and Earthquake Engineering, highlighting IIT Roorkee’s dedication to research excellence and societal impact. The award ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhawan, celebrating Prof. Sharma’s remarkable achievements and reinforcing the institute’s reputation for fostering innovation, scientific leadership, and meaningful contributions to national and global advancements in the field.
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Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, and Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director of IIT Roorkee met Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, to discuss the institute’s initiatives in Green Hydrogen. The discussions highlighted state-of-the-art facility developments and proposed test runs of hydrogen-powered buses from the GNEC campus to Noida and Jewar Airport. The Chief Minister encouraged IIT Roorkee to contribute to new technologies for durable, high-quality roads and lauded its achievements in structural design and construction engineering, emphasizing the institute’s role in advancing innovative solutions for sustainable infrastructure.
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IIT Roorkee actively participated in the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign by organizing a dedicated cleanliness drive on campus. Faculty members, staff, and volunteers joined hands to clear garbage, remove weeds, and clean the surroundings, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and sustainable environment. The initiative reflects IIT Roorkee’s strong support for the vision of Swachh Bharat, fostering a hygienic and green campus community while inspiring collective responsibility towards cleanliness and sustainability.
IIT Roorkee organized the Regional Investor Seminar for Awareness (RISA) in collaboration with SEBI and NSE to promote financial literacy and responsible investing among students. Shri Bhartendra Kumar Gupta, Deputy GM, SEBI, and Shri Joginder Singh, VP, NSE, delivered keynote addresses, followed by sessions on investor protection, market opportunities, and financial decision-making. Over 200 students participated, showcasing rising youth interest in financial planning. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, emphasized financial literacy in shaping responsible citizens, while Prof. Rajat Agrawal highlighted its importance in preparing students with essential life skills.
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The Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy, IIT Roorkee, organized the International Symposium on Biomass to Hydrogen (ISB2H) under the patronage of Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee. The event featured chief guests Dr. Ranjith K. Pai (DST) and Dr. G. Sridhar (SSS-NIBE), along with experts from IITs, BIS, and leading research institutions. Key sessions included a panel on “Biomass to Hydrogen – Prospects and Challenges” and a BIS Standards session. With a valedictory address by Prof. Vivek Malik, ISB2H highlighted research, policy, and standardisation synergies, reinforcing IIT Roorkee’s leadership in renewable energy and hydrogen technologies.
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IIT Roorkee hosted Prof. Peter Knorringa and Prof. Cees Van Beers from the International Center for Frugal Innovation (ICFI), Netherlands, for a session on “Frugal Innovation in the Global South.” The lecture emphasized inclusivity, accessibility, and designing under resource constraints, with Mitticool—the clay refrigerator- Mr. Mansukh Bhai Prajapati, CEO at Mitticool Clay Creation, presented as a key case study. Discussions highlighted frugality in systems and services, the role of heuristics in innovation management, collaborations in India and Kenya for Frugal Innovation Hubs, and the balance between high-tech and frugal approaches, underscoring their global significance for sustainable development.
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IIT Roorkee, as the Regional Coordinating Institute of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), organized an Orientation Workshop for UBA Coordinators of Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director IIT Roorkee, and featured addresses by Padmashri Shri Sethpal Singh and experts Prof. N.K. Navani, Dr. Meena Kumari, Shri Ravi Saini, Dr. Subha Dvedi, and Dr. Pooja. Coordinated by Prof. Ashish Pandey, the workshop emphasized sustainable farming, honey authentication, eco-village models, and entrepreneurship, reaffirming IIT Roorkee’s commitment to rural transformation through innovation, traditional knowledge, and community engagement.
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IITRAA, Canada Chapter, recently elected a new Board of Directors to lead activities and community engagement. Mr. Ajay Sinha (1984 batch) has been appointed as President, with Mr. Rajesh Verma serving as Vice President and Mr. Tarun K Vasudeva as General Secretary. The board also includes Mr. Sandeep Giri and Mr. Divyanshu Singh as Directors, Mr. Ashok Tak as Director (Technical), Mr. Hemant Rana as Director (Events), Ms. Indira Khurana as Director (Finance), and Mr. Praveen Swarup as Director (Membership). This newly formed board brings together a dynamic team dedicated to strengthening alumni connections and fostering collaboration among IIT Roorkee graduates in Canada.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Shri Saumitra Priya Srivastava, Executive Director, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), as Director (Marketing), IOCL. He will assume charge from the date of taking over the position and will serve until his superannuation on 31 October 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. His appointment reflects recognition of his extensive experience and leadership in driving IOCL’s marketing and strategic growth initiatives.
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Mr. Chetan Sharma Consulting hosted its 16th annual Mobile Future Forward on September 4, 2025, in Seattle, bringing together leaders from Verizon, AT&T, Nvidia, T-Mobile, Nokia, Ericsson, Microsoft, Cisco, SpaceX, and top startups. Centered on the theme “Quantumverse: Transcendence 2030,” the exclusive summit explored the convergence of AI, 6G, robotics, space communications, and non-terrestrial networks. Discussions highlighted rearchitecting AI and networks for large-scale automation, enterprise applications, and innovation diffusion. With a world-class lineup of visionaries, the forum reinforced its reputation as a premier platform for debating and shaping the future of global technology and connectivity.
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Mr. Vikas Sheel, IAS, has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh. A distinguished civil servant, Mr. Sheel has previously served as Executive Director at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila, and has held several key positions in Health, Education, Rural Development, and the Jal Jeevan Mission. Known for his blend of technical expertise and administrative acumen, his appointment reflects the growing role of IIT graduates in driving governance and development initiatives at the highest levels of public service.
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Dr. Ajit M. Singhvi has signed an MoU with the DoRA office for establishing Ajit Singhvi Centre for Managerial Excellence of Engineers for Viksit Bharat at Department of Management Studies, to foster managerial competence among graduating engineering students. Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the initiative aims to enhance employability, leadership, and career growth opportunities, preparing students to meet future industry and societal challenges. A long-time supporter of IIT Roorkee, Dr. Singhvi has also contributed towards the establishment of the “Dr. Ajit Singhvi Chair Professor,” “G. M. Singhvi Memorial Gold Medal,” and “Dr. Ajit Singhvi Conference Room,” reflecting his enduring commitment to education and national development.
Dr. Sanjay Jain, an esteemed alumnus of IIT Roorkee (B.E. Mechanical, 1982) and currently Associate Industry Professor at the School of Business, George Washington University, has signed an MoU with the DoRA office to provide financial support for needy students with strong academic performance. This initiative reflects his commitment to empowering the next generation of IIT Roorkee students by ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic growth. Along with his distinguished career in decision sciences, project management, and business analytics, this contribution highlights his dedication to giving back to his alma mater.
A delegation led by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, along with Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean of International Relations, IITR, and Prof. Brijesh Kumar Yadav, Department of Hydrology, recently visited the University of Zululand, South Africa. Facilitated by Prof. V. Elumalai, the visit resulted in an MoU signed by Prof. Pant and Vice Chancellor Prof. Xoliswa Mtose to deepen academic and research collaboration. The delegation also attended a conference where notable figures like Hon. Minister Blade Nzimande, Prof. B. Brown, Prof. Peiyue Li, and Prof. Sipho Seepe were present. This engagement is a significant step in IIT Roorkee's vision for global partnerships.
A high-level delegation from IIT Roorkee, comprising Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, and Prof. Brijesh Kumar Yadav, visited the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at Durban University of Technology, South Africa, to explore avenues of academic and research collaboration. The team held discussions with IWWT leadership and faculty, and connected with IIT Roorkee alumni at DUT. The visit culminated in the signing of a Letter of Intent to foster long-term partnership in water and wastewater research and innovation. The delegation expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and productive interactions.
IIT Roorkee Alumni Association (IITRAA) Lucknow Chapter organized a vibrant Navratri and Dandia festival on 27 September in Lucknow. The event brought together a large gathering of alumni along with their spouses, creating a lively atmosphere filled with music, dance, and festive spirit. It served as a joyful platform for alumni to reconnect, celebrate traditions, and strengthen their bond with the IIT Roorkee community. The enthusiastic participation and camaraderie made the evening memorable, reflecting the chapter’s commitment to fostering active engagement and togetherness among its members.
IIT Roorkee proudly celebrated the Emerald Jubilee Reunion of its 1970 batch alumni, marking 55 years of their graduation from UoR/IITR. This special occasion brought together distinguished alumni to relive cherished memories, honor their lifelong association with the institute, and celebrate their remarkable journey since graduation. The reunion not only recognized the professional achievements and contributions of the 1970 batch across diverse fields but also reaffirmed the strong bond between the institute and its alumni community. The event stood as a testament to IIT Roorkee’s enduring legacy in shaping leaders and visionaries who continue to inspire generations.
Dr. Subhash Chandra (M.E. Production- 1977) has authored a book titled “Anti-Ageing: Remaining Young, Disease-Free with Increased Longevity”. The book offers a unique blend of spirituality, engineering, physics, and medical knowledge, providing practical and easy-to-apply solutions for diagnosing, preventing, and managing life-threatening diseases while promoting overall health and well-being. Serving as a ready reckoner, it highlights concepts rarely explained in conventional healing practices and is recommended for readers seeking holistic approaches to remain youthful and healthy.
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A tale of Lifelong Friendship: Sri Anil Kumar (B.E. Industrial- 1981), has authored a heartfelt novel titled “Yaari Hai.: A Tale of Lifelong Friendship.” Deeply nostalgic and unputdownable, the book beautifully captures the magic of campus life—friendships, first love, and the emotional journey of growing up. Set against the backdrop of IIT days, it follows two boys from different backgrounds whose unlikely friendship endures through life’s joys and trials. Blending humor, heartbreak, ambition, and nostalgia, the story pays tribute to the bonds, mentors, and memories that define youth and remain etched in our hearts forever.
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We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed alumni for visiting IIT Roorkee. It is always a pleasure to warmly welcome you back to your Alma Mater!