On Saturday, the Nitte University off‑campus centre hosted the second session of the institution's 16th anniversary celebrations, where 1,148 Bachelor of Technology graduates received their degrees. The chief guest, Dr Prahlad Ramrao – former director of Pune's Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, member of the team that developed Brahmos and Astra missiles, and former vice‑chancellor of Bangalore's S Vyas University – delivered the keynote address.
Dr Ramrao warned that knowledge divorced from ethics, compassion and a sense of national duty can become hazardous. He urged the new engineers to cultivate empathy, ask uncomfortable questions and build resilience by mastering fundamentals beyond their chosen specialisations. According to him, the nation needs graduates who are not only technically proficient but also aware of India's broader needs and capable of bridging the gap between urban and rural, research and entrepreneurship, tradition and innovation.
The speaker highlighted the rapid evolution of fields such as artificial intelligence, biosciences, mobility, core infrastructure, climate change, defence and agriculture. He cautioned that staying updated is essential; otherwise, graduates risk being left behind. While a degree remains a valuable credential, Dr Ramrao stressed that it is not a final guarantee of a comfortable job. He encouraged the cohort to aim higher, contribute to nation‑building, and work collectively to achieve extraordinary outcomes.
The ceremony was presided over by Nitte University Chancellor Vishal Hegde, who inaugurated the event. Vice‑chancellor Prof Dr M Shantarama Shetty addressed the audience, followed by remarks from senior officials including Dr Satish Kumar Bhandari (ISRCARL department), administrator Rohit Poonja, trustee Vireen Hegde and committee member Prof Omeid Ansari. Gold medals were presented to top performers across various departments.
Dr Subrahmanya Bhat K, the examination controller, read out the list of graduates, while co‑ordinators Dr Granil Dimello and Dr Sneha Nayak guided the proceedings. The gathering concluded with a collective hope that the freshly minted engineers will uphold ethical standards while driving Karnataka and India toward a progressive future.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi