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IIIT Una Holds 7th Convocation Ceremony, Celebrating Progress and Innovation
Guest speakers highlight India’s educational reforms and space achievements
Shimla, Updated At : 16:13 PM Aug 24, 2025 IST
The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Una held its seventh convocation ceremony on Saturday, conferring 135 B.Tech degrees and one PhD. National Educational Technology Forum and NAAC Chairman, Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, delivered the convocation address, while Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.
Congratulating the graduates, medal winners, and their families, Prof. Sahasrabudhe praised IIIT Una’s remarkable progress since its inception in 2014 under the public–private partnership model. He noted the institute’s transformation into a vibrant, eco-friendly campus housing over 800 students and 35 faculty members.
He underlined the importance of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes innovation, multidisciplinary learning, value-based education, and sustainability. Reflecting on the fast-evolving technological landscape—spanning artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and quantum computing—he urged students to embrace lifelong learning and become responsible global citizens. He also pointed to India’s rising stature in science, the economy, defence, and space, highlighting ISRO’s Chandrayaan and Aditya missions as milestones.
Addressing the gathering, Anurag Singh Thakur congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to contribute to nation-building. IIIT Una Director, Prof. Manish Gaur, was also present at the event.
Earlier in the day, on the occasion of National Space Day, Thakur addressed a gathering at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Pekhubela, as Chief Guest. Recalling India’s historic achievement of Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the Moon’s south pole on 23 August 2023, he said the mission placed India among the world’s leading spacefaring nations. He lauded the relentless efforts of Indian scientists and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership for enabling such milestones.
Thakur added that India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, is projected to grow to $44 billion in the coming years—a remarkable rise from the modest ₹5,615 crore space budget of 2013–14.
