Gold medal topper Vishwanath was awarded at the 26th Annual Convocation of VTU held at Jnana Sangama campus on Saturday
Belagavi : As many as 74,763 students were awarded undergraduate degrees at Visvesvaraya Technological University ’s (VTU) 26th annual convocation at Jnana Sangama campus on Saturday, where deputy chief minister G Parameshwara urged young engineers to harness knowledge, innovation and emerging technologies for society’s benefit. A special expert committee would be constituted to design job-oriented programmes and help VTU rank among India’s top 10 universities, he said. The university awarded degrees to 74,009 BE/BTech, 725 BArch, 12 BPlanning and 17 BSc students, besides 329 PhD scholars. Forty-five students received 94 gold medals, while 300 qualified for ranks. HM Vishwanath of Jain Institute of Technology, Davangere, topped the medal tally with 12 golds. Bengaluru Institute of Technology secured the highest number of ranks at 29, followed by Bapuji Institute of Engineering and Technology with 16.
Higher education minister Basavaraj Rayareddi announced that VTU would soon introduce aviation and railway engineering courses to widen employment opportunities. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
Congratulating graduates, Parameshwara said some among them could build India’s next major artificial intelligence company, make breakthroughs in renewable energy, transform agriculture or solve social problems. “Teachers have not just taught engineering; they have created engineers,” he said, asking graduates to remember the contribution of teachers, parents and friends to their success. Parameshwara said AI, quantum computing, biotechnology and satellite development were transforming industries and creating opportunities. “Whatever technology you create, it must contribute to India’s development,” he said. Stressing continuous learning, he said AI should not replace engineers. Engineering students must learn AI,” he said. Success, he said, required humility, patience and perseverance. VTU vice-chancellor S Vidyashankar reminded graduates that freedom comes with responsibility and said decisions they take would shape their careers.
“AI is no longer optional, it is essential. He also urged graduates to avoid shortcuts and rely on sustained hard work. Governor and VTU chancellor Thaawar Chand Gehlot called upon graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers and use their knowledge and skills for nation-building. Honorary doctorates were conferred on Sabitha Ramamurthy of CMR Jnanadhara Trust, MP Shyam of RV Education Committee Trust and former AICTE chairperson TG Sitharam. Sakshi S Hadalge of VSM Somashekar R Kothiwale Technical College, Nipani, bagged eight. Chinmayi M Kashyap of CMR Institute of Technology and BM Dhanyashree of JNN College of Engineering shared third spot with seven golds each. Download the TOI App.