IISER Pune Celebrates 11th Convocation with 346 Graduates
Pune, 1st June 2024: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune held its 11th convocation on the morning of May 29, 2024, conferring degrees to a total of 346 students. This cohort included 72 PhD graduates, 28 recipients of Master of Science and PhD dual degrees, and 9 who completed their Master of Science degrees through the Integrated PhD channel. Additionally, 195 students received BS and MS dual degrees, 15 earned BS degrees, and 27 graduated from the new Master’s programme launched in the 2022-23 academic year. The institute extended heartfelt congratulations to all graduates, wishing them bright futures.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, served as the Chief Guest for the occasion.
Director Prof. Sunil S. Bhagwat began the ceremony by presenting degrees to the graduates. Notably, fifteen BS-MS students graduated with Distinction (CGPA >9), and BS-MS student Shah Varun Kaushal was awarded the institute’s gold medal.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat presented the Best MS and PhD Thesis Awards. The Xytel Best PhD Thesis Awards were given to PhD students Himani Khurana (Biology), Pooja Sindhu (Chemistry), and Mitesh Modasiya (Mathematics). The Xytel Best MS Thesis Awards were bestowed upon BS-MS students Shweta Garg (Biology), Hritwik Haldar (Chemistry), Garvit A. (Data Science), Devyani Jambhule (Earth and Climate Science), Varun (Humanities and Social Sciences), Shah Varun Kaushal (Mathematics), and Vedhanth S.V.U. (Physics).
Prof. Sunil Bhagwat presented the annual report, highlighting the institute’s academic achievements and the various scientific events undertaken by its researchers. He emphasized the outreach programmes driven by the Smt. Indrani Balan Science Activity Centre, the Science Media Centre, and the iRISE and MS-DEED projects.
In his address, Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat congratulated the graduates and acknowledged the essential roles played by their teachers and parents. He praised the academic achievements of the faculty and the high-quality infrastructure at IISER Pune that facilitates excellent education.
Dr. Saraswat spoke about the importance of knowledge and an interdisciplinary approach in tackling the complex challenges of the 21st century. “The need of the hour is not just for specialists but also for practitioners who think beyond boundaries, recognizing the inter-linkages of the problems to be solved,” he stated.
He emphasized the significant role of youth as India approaches its centenary, noting, “The youth of this nation have a herculean task of not only transitioning this country into a technology hub but accomplishing this feat sustainably.”
Dr. Saraswat concluded by wishing the graduates fulfilling careers and encouraging them to become exemplary citizens of India.
