Namchi, Dec 15 (IPR): National Institute of Technology (NIT) Sikkim organised its 8th Convocation Ceremony at the Congregation Hall of Tathagata Tsal, Ravangla, today, marking a significant milestone in the academic journey of its graduating students.
The Governor of Sikkim Mr Om Prakash Mathur, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Former Cabinet Secretary, Government of Sikkim, Mr G P Upadhyaya IAS (Retd.), and Former Director IIT Kharagpur Prof. V K Tewari, attended as Guests of Honour.
Among those present were MLA Barfung and Advisor, Buildings & Housing Department Mr Riksal Dorjee Bhutia, Additional Political Secretary (Namchi) Mr Bishnu Sharma, Chairperson Board of Governors and Director Sarogi Udyog Pvt. Ltd. Mr Ramesh Kumar Saraogi, members of the Board of Governors of NIT Sikkim Director NIT Sikkim Mr Mahesh Chandra Govil, SDM (HQ) Mr Nim Pintsho Bhutia, SDM Ravangla Mr Saran D. Kalikotey, BDO Ravangla Mr B B Tamang, along with faculty members, staff, students and parents.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor congratulated the graduating students on the successful completion of their academic programmes and commended both students and faculty for their dedication and perseverance. He remarked that the convocation was not merely a celebration of individual achievement, but also a moment of pride for parents, teachers and the institution as a whole.
The Governor further acknowledged the visionary efforts of those who laid the foundation of NIT Sikkim and have continued to strive towards building a robust academic environment for students in the fields of engineering, science and information technology.
Emphasising the transformative power of technology in the present era, he urged the students to harness their technical knowledge by availing themselves of national initiatives such as Start-Up India, Stand Up India, Make in India and Digital India to reach new heights in innovation and research.
Drawing inspiration from India’s rich intellectual heritage, the Governor highlighted the contributions of eminent scholars such as Aryabhatta, Charaka and Bhaskaracharya in mathematics, astronomy, science, medicine, surgery and architecture.
Concluding his address, he stated that education and hard work form the bedrock of a developed India, and called upon the youth to combine knowledge with action to achieve self-reliance, innovation and global leadership, while upholding sustainable development, cultural pride and human values.
Addressing the gathering, Mr G P Upadhyaya reiterated the vision of the Chief Minister of Sikkim Mr Prem Singh Tamang, for establishing a permanent campus for NIT Sikkim and expressed gratitude for the allocation of land at Khamdong for the purpose. He encouraged the students to cultivate teamwork and a strong sense of collective responsibility in serving society and the nation, and advised them to learn equally from both success and failure.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Upadhyaya observed that the students were graduating at a pivotal moment when artificial intelligence is reshaping the technological landscape. He urged them to adapt accordingly, work towards innovative ideas and inventions, address global challenges such as climate change, and contribute through consolidated research for the sustainable development of the Himalayan region.
Prof. V K Tewari, in his address, stated that the youth are the architects of society and play a vital role in shaping the nation’s future as a global power. He stressed the importance of fostering innovative mindsets in every endeavour and highlighted the growing impact of MSMEs across sectors. He suggested that institutions like NIT Sikkim should strengthen infrastructure for MSME capacity-building to enable the production of quality goods and services.
Speaking on artificial intelligence, Prof. Tewari described it as a driving force behind emerging opportunities and encouraged students to integrate AI-driven approaches in their pursuits to build a stronger nation. He also lauded the efforts of teachers for moulding students into responsible change-makers and appreciated the unwavering support of parents.
In his welcome address, Mr Ramesh Kumar Saraogi congratulated the graduating students and advised them to embrace the spirit of unity in diversity. He urged them to move forward with openness, humility and a continuous learning mindset. Encouraging critical and unconventional thinking, he challenged the graduates to refine their expertise and emerge as well-rounded professionals who can contribute to positioning India as a global hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.
During the ceremony, Chairman and Managing Director of Skipper Limited, Mr Sajan Kumar Bansal, was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature, as recommended by the Senate and approved by the Board of Governors. Addressing the gathering, Mr Bansal shared insights from his personal and professional journey.
The convocation witnessed the conferment of degrees upon 164 graduating students, including 8 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 15 Master of Technology (MTech), 7 Master of Science (MSc) and 134 Bachelor of Technology (BTech) graduates. In recognition of outstanding academic performance, seven students were awarded Gold Medals.
Report from DIO Namchi