Foundation Day Celeberation
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi celebrated its 17th Foundation Day as a vibrant confluence of leadership from industry, academia, and global research. The event underscored the institute’s growing prominence in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum technology, and interdisciplinary engineering, while mapping out an ambitious future roadmap aligned with India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Addressing students and faculty, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director of IIT Mandi, outlined the institute’s aspirational scale‑up. He stated that IIT Mandi aims to grow to over 350 faculty members and more than 5,000 students by 2027, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship. One of the key pillars of this vision is ensuring that every student gets access to world‑class laboratories and research infrastructure, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to hands‑on, discovery‑driven education.
Vision, growth, and “Shodasha” spirit
Prof. Behera framed the 17th anniversary as a moment of both reflection and renewal. He noted that the number 17 evokes the Sanskrit word “Shodasha,” representing eternal youthfulness, creativity, and continuous growth – values that IIT Mandi has embraced since its inception.
Over the past 17 years, the institute has evolved from a nascent engineering school into a research‑intensive university, recognised for its excellence in AI, robotics, quantum technology, advanced materials, and interdisciplinary engineering. With over ₹120 crore in research grants and a steadily expanding portfolio of national and international collaborations, IIT Mandi is establishing itself as a hub for frontier‑line research and technology translation in the Himalayan region.
Distinguished guests and global perspectives
The foundation‑day event drew a distinguished line‑up of speakers, reinforcing the institute’s growing international footprint. The Chief Guest was Padma Bhushan awardee Senapathy Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co‑Founder of Infosys Ltd., whose presence highlighted the strong link between India’s premier IT leaders and its emerging research‑driven campuses.
He was joined by Prof. Oussama Khatib, Director of the Stanford Robotics Lab, USA, as the Distinguished Guest; Prof. Timothy Gonsalves, Founding Director of IIT Mandi; Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University; and Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, Vice Chancellor of Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University. Their presence underlined the national and international respect that IIT Mandi has gained in a relatively short time.
Keynote on intelligence revolution and “product nation”
In his keynote address, Kris Gopalakrishnan described the current era as the “edge of the intelligence revolution,” where AI and emerging technologies will redefine economies, industries, and job markets. He argued that the next 25–30 years represent a historic window for India to not only absorb global innovation but lead in it.
“Institutions like IIT Mandi will be central to this journey,” he said. “You are not only training future engineers and scientists; you are building a product nation—one that invents its own solutions, develops globally competitive technologies, and provides accessible, sustainable tools for the world.”
He emphasised that this vision is inseparable from entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and fast‑moving translational research. “The young minds here can design technologies that reach every village and city, across language, geography, and income barriers,” he added, urging students to aim beyond job‑seeking and toward job‑creating, problem‑solving entrepreneurship.
Gopalakrishnan also congratulated the students, faculty, and leadership of IIT Mandi for the institute’s impressive achievements in a short span, including national awards, research recognitions, and its expanding industry‑academia partnerships.
From engineering school to innovation powerhouse
Since its founding, IIT Mandi has consciously positioned itself at the intersection of technology, policy, and society. The institute’s motto – “Scaling the Heights” – reflects its mission to combine technical depth with social responsibility.
Today, it is home to centres of excellence that focus on AI‑driven automation, robotics, quantum communications, and advanced materials for energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. These themes are closely aligned with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, digital India, and climate‑resilient infrastructure.
By 2027, IIT Mandi sees itself as a comprehensive, research‑led university with a strong global footprint – offering not only undergraduate and postgraduate programmes but also doctoral, industry‑linked research projects, and innovation incubation for start‑ups. The foundation‑day celebrations thus served both as a celebration of past milestones and as a clear statement of intent for the years ahead.
Through this blend of academic excellence, technological innovation, and commitment to inclusive growth, IIT Mandi aims to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s future – as a knowledge hub, a talent engine, and a catalyst for India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is based on available public sources and official statements as of the time of publication. While we aim for accuracy, we do not guarantee completeness or correctness. Readers are advised to verify key details from official sources before making any decisions. The website (iitiimsamvaad.com) and its authors are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this content.