NITK Surathkal Awards Degrees to 1,986 Students at 24th Annual Convocation

MANGALURU, Nov 14: The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, is holding its 24th annual convocation on Saturday, with 1,986 students set to receive degrees across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.

The ceremony is being organised at the Silver Jubilee Auditorium on the institute’s campus. The graduating students include candidates from engineering, management, computer applications, science and research programmes.

According to the convocation details released by the institute, 967 students will receive Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees, while 680 will be awarded Master of Technology (MTech) degrees. A total of 119 candidates will receive PhD degrees.

The remaining graduates include students from MTech (Research), Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science (MSc) programmes.

The annual ceremony marks the completion of academic programmes for students who have fulfilled the requirements of their respective courses. It also recognises outstanding academic performance through medals awarded to students who have secured the highest cumulative grade point averages in their programmes.
Two sessions planned for the convocation
The 24th convocation is being conducted in two sessions to accommodate undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral graduates.

The forenoon session is scheduled from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and will be attended by postgraduate and PhD students. The afternoon session, from 2 pm to 5 pm, is designated for undergraduate students.

J D Patil, president of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, is attending as the chief guest at both sessions. M M Murugappan, chairperson of the NITK Board of Governors, is presiding over the ceremony.

The division into two sessions allows the institute to organise the degree distribution and associated proceedings for different academic groups in a structured manner.

The convocation is among the major annual events in the institute’s academic calendar, bringing together graduating students, faculty members, institutional leadership, families and invited guests.
Engineering graduates form the largest group
The degree distribution shows that engineering programmes account for the largest share of the graduating batch.

A total of 967 students will receive BTech degrees, reflecting the institute’s established role in undergraduate engineering education.

Another 680 students will graduate with MTech degrees, representing postgraduate specialisation across different engineering disciplines.

The institute will also award 12 MTech (Research) degrees. These programmes provide opportunities for students to undertake advanced academic work and research in their chosen areas.

In addition, 66 students will receive MCA degrees, while 74 will graduate with MBA qualifications. The institute will also confer 68 MSc degrees.

The 119 doctoral degrees represent the research component of the graduating batch. PhD programmes involve advanced study and original research under the supervision of faculty members, with candidates required to fulfil the academic and research requirements of their respective disciplines.

The distribution of degrees reflects the range of programmes offered at NITK and its role in providing education at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels.
Forty-six students to receive medals
A total of 46 students will be honoured with gold medals and medals sponsored by various agencies for achieving the highest cumulative grade point averages in their respective programmes.

Of these, 11 medals will be awarded to BTech students, while 35 will go to postgraduate students.

The awards recognise academic performance across different programmes and provide an opportunity to acknowledge students who have demonstrated consistent achievement during their studies.

Medals sponsored by various agencies also reflect the participation of external organisations in recognising academic excellence.

For the recipients, the awards mark an important milestone at the conclusion of their academic journey. They also highlight the role of sustained effort, discipline and academic engagement in achieving success in higher education.
NITK’s role in technical education
NITK Surathkal is one of India’s National Institutes of Technology and has a longstanding presence in engineering and technical education.

The institute offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in engineering, science, management and related areas. Its academic structure includes classroom instruction, laboratory work, research activities and opportunities for students to engage with industry-related projects.

The annual convocation provides a snapshot of the institution’s academic output, with graduates entering professional careers, research institutions, higher education and other fields.

Engineering graduates may pursue opportunities in sectors such as information technology, manufacturing, infrastructure, electronics, energy and telecommunications. Postgraduate students often move into specialised technical roles, research positions and academic careers.

Management graduates can pursue careers in business administration, consulting, finance, operations and entrepreneurship, while doctoral graduates may continue in research and teaching or enter advanced research and development roles.

The institute’s range of programmes is intended to provide students with academic and professional pathways suited to different interests and career goals.
Importance of research and postgraduate education
The presence of 119 PhD graduates at the convocation underlines the importance of research in the institute’s academic activities.

Doctoral education plays a key role in developing specialised knowledge and generating new research findings. Candidates work on specific research problems, conduct investigations and contribute to the academic understanding of their chosen fields.

Postgraduate programmes also provide students with opportunities to develop advanced technical and analytical capabilities.

The 680 MTech graduates and 12 MTech (Research) recipients represent a significant part of the graduating group. Such programmes allow students to deepen their understanding of engineering subjects and explore specialised areas that may not receive the same level of attention in undergraduate courses.

Research-oriented education is also important for developing new technologies, improving existing systems and addressing challenges faced by industry and society.

For an institute of technology, maintaining a balance between teaching, practical training and research is essential to its academic mission.
Academic recognition and future opportunities
The convocation is an important transition point for students moving from university education into professional and research environments.

For undergraduate graduates, receiving a degree marks the completion of their initial higher education qualification and opens opportunities for employment or further study.

Postgraduate recipients may use their advanced qualifications to enter specialised professional roles, pursue research or continue towards doctoral education.

The PhD graduates, meanwhile, complete an extended period of research and are positioned to contribute to academic institutions, laboratories, industry research teams and other knowledge-based organisations.

The 46 medal recipients will receive additional recognition for their academic performance. Such awards can serve as an acknowledgement of their achievements and the effort invested in their studies.

The ceremony also provides an opportunity for graduates to reconnect with the institute and recognise the contribution of faculty members, research supervisors, administrative staff and families who supported their academic journeys.
Convocation details and institutional significance
The 24th annual convocation brings together graduates from several academic disciplines and reflects the scale of NITK’s teaching and research activities.

The institute has made arrangements for the ceremony in two sessions, with postgraduate and doctoral graduates attending in the morning and undergraduate students in the afternoon.

The participation of J D Patil as chief guest and M M Murugappan as the presiding authority adds to the formal proceedings.

For the graduating students, the award of degrees represents the culmination of years of academic work. For the institution, the event provides an opportunity to recognise student achievements and mark another year of academic activity.

With 1,986 degrees being conferred and 46 students receiving medals, this year’s ceremony highlights the institute’s contribution to technical, scientific and management education.