DEHRADUN: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee celebrated its historic 175th Foundation Day on 25th November 2022 today, upstaging its academic excellence, heritage and culture on the global stage from its campus.
Congratulating IIT Roorkee for its glorious 175 years, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who was the chief guest said IIT Roorkee continues to be in the forefront of the pursuit of research and has contributed to the development of nation and the region.
IIT has been attaining global levels of excellence in education and creating a sustainable and equitable society through innovative research, he added. "I am sure IIT Roorkee will continue to serve the nation and build competency and recognition for India as a Vishwa Guru.”
Prof. B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Chairman Board of Governors, IIT Roorkee, and Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee hoisted the flag kick-starting ceremony.
In his address Vineet Pandey released the commemorative stamp in recognition of this significant milestone. "I extend my wishes to IIT Roorkee for its continued strive to become a centre of excellence in research and development", he said.
IIT Roorkee has a strong entrepreneurial culture. The Institute has many alumni who are founders of successful technological and social ventures in India and abroad. These alumni are playing an important role in maintaining IIT Roorkee’s legacy of excellence and contributing the nation building specially in infrastructure.
Making its modest start in 1847 as the First Engineering College in the British Empire, IIT Roorkee has progressed rapidly with many pioneering initiatives in engineering education, Research and Development (R&D), societal impact, and international collaborations.
One major highlight of the 175th Foundation Day celebration at IIT Roorkee was the Startup Expo 2022, which featured around 130 start-ups supported by the Institute’s Start-up Ecosystem.
Around 50 start-ups of these showcased their product/ technology in the domains including Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Healthcare, and Electric Vehicles, among others, to 100+ industries from the Uttarakhand region.
Prof. B.V.R. Mohan Reddy said IIT Roorkee has made constant efforts at improving its perception among our peers on the global stage. "IIT has strong entrepreneurial culture and it will continue to maintain its legacy of excellence.”
Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee said it has served the nation for 175 years and aims to lead the transition in the new era of higher education and increase contributions to basic and applied research leading to the development of products, infrastructure, processes, and materials for different sections of society.
"Our Institute has not only been the pioneer in the field of research and innovation but also fostered the academia-industry relationship for the larger interest of society and the nation.”
Prof. Pant said on the International outreach front, IIT Roorkee has made a mark on the global map.
As showcased in the Start-up Expo the startup ecosystem at the institute is very diverse, and IIT Roorkee is constantly supporting innovative ideas and technologies by providing mentoring and financial support to young entrepreneurs.
"I wish continued growth and success to all the students, faculty alumni, and staff of this premier institution.”
IIT Roorkee organized various activities on Academic, International Relations, Sports, Research, Alumni, and Student outreach fronts.
Under the IITR@175 initiative, IIT Roorkee reached out to institutions within 200kms of Roorkee for collaboration, help start research in the areas of importance, augment creating labs and attract funding from various Govt and non-Govt organizations.
It has TechSarthi Scheme to provide assistance to the industrial units around Roorkee launched in April 2022. On the sports front, the Institute Sports council of IIT Roorkee organized Half Marathon 2022 on April 3, 2022, with 450 athletes from the Institute, BEG, NIH, CBRI, and select educational Institutes around Roorkee.
On the Alumni outreach front, IIT Roorkee organized various alumni outreach events nationally and globally.
Prof. Arun Kumar, Chairperson, 175 Years Celebration Committee, IIT Roorkee, said IIT Roorkee showcased its achievements based on the ideas from institute community, outreaching to global fraternity and connecting to high ranking scientists, recognizing the magnificence journey of the instate of Govt of India through commemorative coin and stamp have been successfully achieved through yearlong celebrations with eth support from one and all.
