With a Decade of Excellence behind it, IIT Mandi is all set to become a Leader in Science, Research, Academics and Innovation

INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficial

Collective contribution of Alumni, Faculty and Students driving the Institute towards greater goals and contributing to the Nation’s Growth

Elevated view of IIT Mandi

Indian Institute of Technology Mandi celebrated its 10th Foundation Day. Since its inception, the Institute has been making rapid strides in Science, Technology, Innovation, Academics, Entrepreneurship, Research and Development. IIT Mandi celebrated the occasion with an event on campus in which the Chief Guests were Mr. Raj Kamal Singh, Mr. Gaurav Yadav, Mr. Saurabh Jain, Mr. Ishansh Singh, Mr. Mohit Kumar Malhotra, alumni of the first B. Tech batch (2009 – 2013) of IIT Mandi.

Prof Timothy A Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi, delivering the inaugaural address on 10th Foundation Day

Addressing the Institute during this grand occasion, Prof. Timothy A. Gonsalves who has been Director of IIT Mandi since its Day One till now and has been a major force behind its rapid development, said, “IIT Mandi is a flourishing member of the IIT system. Our faculty, students and alumni have carried the name of IIT Mandi throughout India and to distant corners of the world through their remarkable achievements. IIT Mandi is rapidly becoming a jewel in the Himalayan crown of India.”

The vision of the Institute is to be a leader in science and technology education, knowledge creation and innovation, in an India marching towards a just, inclusive and sustainable society.

Representing the Alumni of the first B.Tech batch of IIT Mandi, Mr. Raj Kamal Singh said, “I and my fellow batchmates are honoured and privileged to be a part of this elite institute. To the young students here I want to say that change is happening every day. Things you are learning now will help you throughout life. Thanks to IIT Mandi and Prof. Gonsalves for giving me this life lesson. When you go out, you realise lessons they taught you at IIT Mandi were not just academic but for life as well.”

During the event, three volumes of Kamand Valley Monographs published by the Institute on the culture, history, wildlife and ecology of the region was released. Also, the team from the newly-formed Institute Archives presented a slide-show of the photographs of the evolution of the campus. 

Student engaged in experiment at AMRC lab at IIT Mandi

Since the first batch of 97 students got admitted in July 2009, the Institute has grown by leaps and bounds and is targeting 5,000 B.Tech, M.Tech., M.Sc. and M.S. and Ph.D. students by 2029. With nearly about 80,000 sq.m. of construction already completed, another 1.5 lakh sq.m. is under construction now. IIT Mandi hosts state-of-the-art research facilities such as the ‘Class 100 Clean Room’ facility, a world-class center that is first-of-its-kind in India, and an Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC), created with an investment of about Rs. 50 crore.

Whether in terms of research, industrial collaborations, innovations, entrepreneurship culture, placement, student activities or social initiatives, IIT Mandi has made giant leaps in a short span of time, thanks to the hard work of the Faculty, students, Staff, Administration Alumni and other stakeholders including.

Students at Computer lab, IIT Mandi

A huge recognition came when IIT Mandi was chosen to host the Third Himachal Pradesh Science Congress during which scientists and researchers discussed recent progress and future trends in technologies/ products relevant for rural transformation. The event was jointly organised by Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (HIMCOSTE) and IIT Mandi on the theme ‘Rural Upliftment through Science and Technology Interventions.’ As many as 337 abstracts were received at the HP Science Congress, which was the first major event at the new conference facility, which includes an 800-seater auditorium and an 88-room guest house.

IIT Mandi has a unique project-oriented curriculum that engages students in solving real world problems. Students and faculty have a strong interest in designing products and technologies for practical applications. To implement this, the Institute is planning to start a Centre for Product Design in 2019. It will conduct courses for students on ergonomics, aesthetics and engineering design, among other fields. This will help students, faculty and startups to create better products.

Prof Timothy A Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi, with Alumni of the First Batch (2013) of the institute (Chief Guest at 10th Foundation Day)

IIT Mandi spearheaded a campaign to increase the enrolment of women students in IITs to increase the participation of women in science. A committee under Prof. Gonsalves, made several recommendations in this direction.