The future belongs to those engineers and scientists who combine their deep domain knowledge with the power of intelligent technologies, Professor Abhay Karandikar, member, NITI Aayog, said in Tiruchi.

Delivering the convocation address at the 22nd graduation ceremony of National Institute of Technology – Tiruchi (NIT-T) on Saturday, Prof. Karandikar said that despite the wide reach of artificial intelligence (AI), knowledge of the core subjects remains important.

“Every breakthrough in AI rests on a strong foundation in science, mathematics and engineering. You are graduating at an extraordinary time. Each generation has witnessed a technological change, but the pace and scale of transformation that is happening recently is redefining the way we live and work. Students should use education to make a lasting impact on our nation building,” he said.

India, he observed, is no longer merely participating in this transformation but is emerging as a trusted innovation partner through its achievements in digital public infrastructure, renewable energy, biotechnology, space technology and one of the world’s fastest-growing start-up ecosystems. He remarked that the country today is increasingly recognised not only as a large market but also as a source of talent, research and technological innovation.

Over 2,000 students received their degrees at the convocation ceremony. The President’s Gold Medal for the best all-round graduating student was awarded to B.N. Rashmi (B.Tech, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering). Additionally, 42 Institute gold medals were presented to other outstanding student achievers.

NIT-T director G. Aghila presented the annual report. In her address, she said that NIT-T was the only NIT featured in the global QS World University rankings, gaining the 401-450 band rank for Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, 401-550 for Materials Science, and 751-850 for Computer Science.

During the year, NIT-T secured sponsored research projects worth ₹15.72 crore and consultancy projects worth ₹6.64 crore. She said the Institute has strengthened implementation of the National Education Policy through flexible curricula, Academic Bank of Credits, APAAR, interdisciplinary learning and the introduction of new postgraduate programmes.

Published - July 25, 2026 09:59 pm IST