<p>- Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addresses the students online</p><p>- Honoris Causa conferred upon Prof. Rohini Godbole</p><p>- ~ 2500 students (likely to graduate) attended the ceremony with their batchmates and family</p><p lang="en-US">Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) today held Commencement 2023 at the Institute’s Convocation Hall. The Honourable Minister of Education; Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan graced the ceremony virtually as the Chief Guest and delivered the Commencement Address. Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chancellor, Homi Bhabha National Institute; Chairman, Rajeev Gandhi Science and Technology Commission; and Member, Atomic Energy Commission graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. The Chairperson, Board of Governors (BoG), IIT Bombay Dr. Sharad Kumar Saraf presided over the function in presence of the Institute Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri.</p><p lang="en-US">Commencement is a special event to be conducted once every year to gather all students likely to graduate. Here, "likely to graduate" is based on the year of joining and the normal duration of a program. It does not depend on completion of any graduation requirements (such as, courses and grades). Participating in the Commencement event does not mean that the student has graduated. The event is to be held soon after the end semester examinations of the 2nd semester, before the graduating batch leaves the campus. This gives an opportunity for the entire graduating batch to celebrate their stay in the Institute along with their batchmates, and also invite their family and friends to the campus to partake in the joy. The event is similar to the traditional Convocation ceremony: uniformly dressed students, Academic procession, Chief Guest and Director address, photo-op with the Director, and a Pledge. However, it will be devoid of conferring degrees, medals, or special awards to the students, since they are yet to complete the requirements of graduation.</p><p lang="en-US">Addressing the students virtually, the Chief Guest Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said, “IIT should not be merely an educational Institute but become laboratory of public welfare ‘Lok-Kalyan’. IIT must be hub of entrepreneurship. The students must aspire to be job creators, not just job seekers. There should be zero tolerance for discrimination of any form. IITians must become the face of new India with no discrimination. The main purpose of our education is to serve our society. I ask all the students and alumni to help the children from rural backgrounds around you as well to get into IITs. This will be your ‘Vidya Daan’, your Vidyanjali to your society,” he said.</p><p lang="en-US">In his address to the students, Guest of Honour Dr. Anil Kakodkar said, “The India growth story has three dimensions:</p><ul><li>Ensuring security, so that most of Indians can continue their lives, continue their contributions to the society and the country in peace, not deterred by security issues both internal and external.</li><li>Economic prosperity, per capita income of the country should become comparable with the developed country.</li><li>Human wellness in all its dimensions. We should try to achieve the best possible standards in terms of human wellness.</li><li>Our technological contributions must be globally best. We must push the knowledge frontiers so that new first-of-its-kind technologies can emerge. India can then really reach the top position. Focus on emerging technologies like AI/ML/ quantum computing will make even larger impact on the economic domain in the years to come.</li><li>We are already good at global quality services, lets improve it further.</li><li>Elimination of disparity. While we improve on economic standards, we also improve on equity standards.</li></ul><p lang="en-US">Presenting the Institute’s Report for the year 2022-23, Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri,&nbsp;Director of IIT Bombay informed that IIT Bombay continues to be the top ranked university in the country and among the best in the world and it continues to be the much sought-after destination for UG and PG studies. The donations from alumni in India for the first time topped the donations from abroad.</p><p lang="en-US">Wishing the graduating students the best in life, Prof. Chaudhuri said, “The education you have received at IIT Bombay is comparable to the best in the world and you are now ready to take greater challenges and overcome them. Continue to develop your knowledge and skills and always keep in mind how you can help our society and the nation through your work. I wish you all the success in your future endeavors”.</p><p lang="en-US">“IIT Bombay has introduced this event ‘Commencement’ for the first time starting today, so that you celebrate your journey through IIT Bombay along with all your batch-mates and family members while you embark on a new phase in your life,” he said.</p><p lang="en-US">The degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) was bestowed on Prof. Rohini Godbole, Honorary Professor, Centre for High Energy Physics, IISc Banglore, in recognition of her immense contribution to particle physics and the promotion of science.</p><p lang="en-US">In the afternoon session, about 2500 students who are likely to graduate, were invited for a photo opportunity with the Director on the dais. The students include (approx) 1200 undergraduate, 1000 postgraduate and 300 PhDs.</p><p lang="en-US">Members of Board of Governors and several other distinguished guests from India and abroad attended the Commencement 2023, besides the graduating students and their parents.</p><p lang="en-US">The function was broadcast live on: https://www.youtube.com/c/IITBombayOfficialChannel</p&gt;