Tessy Thomas, former Director General (Aeronautical Systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), delivering the convocation address at IIT Palakkad on Saturday.
As many as 305 students graduated from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad at its eighth convocation on Saturday (July 18 2026), with degrees awarded across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes.
The graduating batch comprised 149 BTech., 67 MTech., 46 MSc, 30 PhD and 13 MS (by research) students.
Delivering the convocation address, chief guest Tessy Thomas, former Director General (Aeronautical Systems), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said India was witnessing a remarkable transition from importing technologies to exporting innovations.
Gayathri S. receiving IIT Palakkad’s medal for the best B.Tech student from Dr. Tessy Thomas during the eighth convocation on Saturday.
Urging the graduates to use their knowledge in the service of humanity, she said the future of technology would be shaped by those who combine technical excellence with ethical and human values.
“As graduates from one of India’s premier institutions, your generation has the unique opportunity to serve the aspirations and values of humanity with your knowledge and intelligence. The future of technology will be shaped by those who combine computational excellence with ethical and human values,” she said.
Manal Jaleel Poovathingal receiving IIT Palakkad’s medal for the best M.Tech student from Dr. Tessy Thomas during the eighth convocation on Saturday.
Dr. Thomas remarked that extraordinary achievements would be possible when innovation is pursued with dedication and collaboration.
Chairman of the IIT board of governors Ramesh Venkateswaran presided over the function.
IIT Palakkad director A. Seshadri Sekhar presented the institute’s annual report, highlighting progress in infrastructure and academic development. He said construction of phase 1A of the permanent campus has resumed and that the Union Ministry of Education has sanctioned Rs. 2,597 crore for Phase B, which will expand the campus capacity to 2,600 students and 260 faculty members over the next four years.
Dr. Thomas presented institute medals to outstanding students. Gayathri S received the Institute Medal for B.Tech., while Manal Jaleel Poovathingal won the Institute Medal for M.Tech. Students securing the highest CGPA in their respective departments and winners of the best project awards were also felicitated.
Published – July 18, 2026 07:59 pm IST
