Rourkela: A total of 2,033 students of National Institute of Technology, Rourkela (NIT-R), received degrees during its 24th convocation held on Saturday. Speakers urged the graduating batch to embrace emerging technologies, uphold ethical values and contribute meaningfully to society. The graduating class comprised 508 women and 1,525 men. Around 47 international students from six countries — Nepal, Bangladesh, the United States, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Yemen — received their degrees.Delivering the convocation address virtually, Abhay Karandikar, member of NITI Aayog, encouraged the graduating students to leverage artificial intelligence and emerging technologies while remaining rooted in the fundamentals of science and engineering. Guest of honour Bidyadhar Subudhi, NIT Warangal director, urged the students to choose excellence, integrity and lifelong learning over convenience and short-term success. He said character and social impact would ultimately define true success.Chairperson of the Board of Governors, S N Subrahmanyan, addressing the gathering virtually, said rapid advances in AI, digitalisation, renewable energy and automation were creating unprecedented opportunities for young professionals. Presenting the institute report, NIT-R director K Umamaheshwar Rao told the students they were entering a world marked by complexity and uncertainty. He urged them to focus on becoming problem-solvers and innovators.
