SEP 05: In a scholarly address at IIT Roorkee’s Convocation, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed the institution—founded in 1847—as Asia’s first engineering college and a national role model combining research, innovation, and societal engagement. Citing its 6th position in the newly released NIRF rankings, he praised its academic legacy and cutting-edge contributions to disaster management, sustainability, and startup development.
With nearly 240 startups from the institute contributing to India’s 1.7 lakh ventures, the Minister emphasized IIT Roorkee’s vital role in the country’s growing startup ecosystem. He encouraged deeper industry linkages and a startup mindset among graduates, stressing that innovation must extend beyond metropolitan hubs. Highlighting that over 50% of Indian startups now emerge from smaller towns, he called this a “democratisation of opportunities.”
Dr. Singh underlined the importance of exploring Himalayan resources, disaster resilience, and biotechnology. Declaring that the next industrial revolution will be biotechnology-driven, he urged the institute to lead in emerging domains such as biotech, space, and regenerative science, aligning with national initiatives like Bio-E³ and the Purple Revolution.
Applauding the leadership of Director Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant and Deputy Director Prof. U.P. Singh, he credited the institution’s legacy, community engagement, and innovative spirit as setting benchmarks for future-ready education. Addressing the graduates, he concluded, “You are born in the best of times—seize the opportunity to shape India’s future.”
