National Institute of Technology

Sep 01, 2023

NIT Calicut celebrates 63rd Foundation Day

The 63rd Foundation Day of the National Institute of Technology Calicut was celebrated with various programmes on Friday marking the anniversary of its establishment as Regional Engineering College (REC) Calicut on September 1, 1961. The foundation stone for Prof. Kesava Rao Memorial Clock Tower was also laid on the day by Shri. Gajjala Yoganand, Chairperson, Board of Governors, NIT Calicut.

Delivering the Prof. Kesava Rao Memorial Lecture, the Chief Guest of the function, Dr. B. K. Das, Director General of the Electronics and Communication System, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), stressed the importance of imbibing knowledge from our environment. “Knowledge has become three-dimensional. Unlike earlier days when learning was centred on books and blackboards, now the students can imbibe knowledge from the basketball court, campus, library and every other place,” he said.

Pointing out the success of the Chandrayan Mission, Dr. B K Das highlighted the youth power of India. “Youth has the power as well as they have to face challenges. The young generation is stepping into techno-rich India and has the responsibility to connect civilisations and carry culture,” he said.

Recollecting the experience during the missile mission of India when India lacked technology to go ahead with a missile mission, he said India did not give up when the USA withdrew all their support for India’s missile mission, instead we, under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam developed every infrastructure and technology and completed missile mission. That is the conviction and trust of our people, he said.

Shri. Gajjala Yoganand, Chairperson, Board of Governors, NIT Calicut during his presidential address highlighted the success of the Chandrayan Mission as a testament to the dedication, innovation and technical brilliance of the intellectual minds of our country. Their contributions highlight the profound impact that a strong foundation in education and values have on shaping the future of not just an individual but also the nation and the world, he added.

Swami Atmapriyananda, Pro-Chancellor of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, was the guest of honour on the occasion. He stressed the need for acknowledging the contribution of Indian and the values of India instead of glorifying everything from the west. He also planted a tree sapling at the amphitheatre.

Prof. Prasad Krishna, Director of NITC presented a report on the state of the institution. “Our institution started functioning in 1961 as Regional Engineering College Calicut with 125 students. We now have 7200 students pursuing 11 undergraduate programmes, 31 postgraduate programmes and doctoral research programmes.

NITC has achieved the highest-ever placements in its history, with 1148 placements for 2023, he said adding that the 35,000+ alumni network was the strength of the institution. He also detailed the growth of the institute in divergent areas.

Foundation Day edition of institute newsletter Communique was also released at the event. Prof. Priya Chandran, Dean (Planning and Development) and Prof. P P Anil Kumar, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations) were also present.

Honoured

Directors-in-charge of NITC, Principals-in-charge of Calicut Regional Engineering College and a former Director of NITC were honoured on the occasion. The guests of eminence include Prof. S Nagaraja (Principal-Charge of CREC), Prof. Nagaraj B N, Prof. E Gopinathan, Prof. T L Jose and Prof. Sandeep Sancheti (Directors-in charge of NITC), Prof. P S Sathidevi (former Director-in- charge and former Deputy Director of NITC) and Prof. M N Bandyopadhyaya (former Director of NITC).

The institute also felicitated 10 faculty and seven non-faculty members of the institute for completing 25 years of service. Proficiency awards were also given to children of employees.

Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA 2023)

The institute distributed distinguished alumni awards to eight alumni under seven different categories. Mr. A.K. Balasubrahmanian, retired Director (Technical) of Nuclear Power Corporation of India for Technology Innovation, Dr. Maruthi R. Akella, Endowed Chair Professor of the University of Texas for academic excellence, Mr. Venu Nair Managing

Director & CEO of Shoppers Stop for Managerial Excellence, Mr. Musthafa PC, CEO & Co-Founder, ID Fresh Food India Pvt. Ltd for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Jayadevan P, Executive Director (LPG), Indian Oil Corporation Ltd for Excellence in Public Services and other walks of Life, Nirmal N R, Chief Executive Officer, (3-Wheeler Business) Greaves Electric Mobility for Emerging Alumni Leader and Shilen Sagunan Chief Executive Officer, SS Consulting, Kochi and John Joseph Managing Director, John Mech-El Technologies (P) Ltd, Mumbai for Excellence in Institutional Development and alma mater services.

Skylight Expo

An exhibition of innovations and research activities titled ‘SKYLIGHT 23’ by all 13 academic departments of NITC was also part of the Foundation Day programme. A quiz programme for students and a cultural extravaganza. Musical evening by students and staff members, a dance show by Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, a dance session by Ms. Smahita Chaudhuri and Mr. Akram Shaik, Aerobic Dance, a dance show by professional artists and a performance by NITC Music Club were part of the cultural evening.