Blend Science With India’s Ancient Wisdom, Padma Subrahmanyam Tells IIT-H Graduates
The convocation saw 1,398 students graduate, the largest graduating class in the institute’s history. Degrees were awarded to 489 BTech, 528 MTech, 191 PhD, 111 MSc, 40 MDes, 18 BDes, 11 MA, six MS and four Diploma in Engineering Science students.
Hyderabad: Science and arts are the two eyes of Bharat Mata, it’s time modern technology drew inspiration from ancient wisdom, renowned Bharatanatyam exponent Dr Padma Subrahmanyam told graduates at the 15th convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad (IIT-H) on Saturday. The Padma Vibhushan awardee urged them to combine scientific excellence with India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
The convocation saw 1,398 students graduate, the largest graduating class in the institute’s history. Degrees were awarded to 489 BTech, 528 MTech, 191 PhD, 111 MSc, 40 MDes, 18 BDes, 11 MA, six MS and four Diploma in Engineering Science students. The ceremony also marked the graduation of the first batch of the BTech programme in IC Design and Technology and the inaugural cohort of the IIT Hyderabad Deakin University Joint Doctoral Programme.
The institute also unveiled its official Sanskrit motto, “Navonmeshena Desha Nirmanam”, meaning “Nation Building through Innovation,” and announced new academic programmes in critical minerals, defence technology, photonics, industrial metallurgy, integrated computational materials engineering, artificial intelligence in chemical engineering, computational chemical engineering and product-based PhD programmes.
Dr Subrahmanyam described education as a force that liberates and encouraged students to use their knowledge to create a better future for humanity by drawing from both modern science and India’s civilisational wisdom.
Board of Governors chairperson B.V.R. Mohan Reddy urged students to use their education to build solutions, create institutions and improve lives. Director B.S. Murty said the convocation reflected IIT Hyderabad’s commitment to preparing talent for emerging technologies and global research while encouraging graduates to solve real-world challenges.
Presenting the institute’s annual report, Prof. Murty said IIT Hyderabad had climbed 76 places to 588th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, entered the global top 400 in Engineering and Technology by subject rankings, and secured 46 positions by 31 faculty members in the Stanford Elsevier Global Top 2 per cent Scientists List 2025.
Prof. Murthy also highlighted the launch of India’s first Dai Nippon Printing research and development centre, expansion of research in areas including semiconductors, 6G communications and healthcare, and the growth of the institute’s startup ecosystem to nearly 300 start-ups.
