NITK’s 23rd Convocation highlights record achievements, IPOs by alumni, first-of-its-kind four-stage ceremony
Chennai , 15th November 2025 — The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, Mangaluru held its 23rd Annual Convocation awarding 1,995 degrees, including the institute’s record number of 193 PhDs. The convocation brought together one of the largest gatherings of graduates and families in recent years, reflecting the growing national stature of NITK as a top engineering and research institution. A total of 935 B.Tech, 641 M.Tech, 23 M.Tech (Research), 66 MCA, 69 MBA, and 68 M.Sc were awarded.
Shri Kamal Bali, President and Managing Director of Volvo Group, India and former Chairperson of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), South India; and member of the BoG of several academic institutes was the chief guest. His address strongly resonated with graduates, faculty and parents. He said, “The world is shifting rapidly, big powers are competing, globalization is regressing to regionalism, and AI is disrupting many sectors. We should think about ‘holistic sustainability’, which is economically efficient, environmentally-friendly, inclusive (gender, societal), and moral & ethical. Graduates should explore innovation, entrepreneurship, excellence in quality, and to take pride in being an Indian. There is a need for genuine leaders in academia and industry who will drive transformation. NITK has all the necessary ingredients and is taking the right steps to drive meaningful and long-term partnerships with alumni and industry.”
Delivering the Director’s Report, Prof. B. Ravi, Director, NITK Surathkal, highlighted the institute’s rapid progress across infrastructure, academics and research. He noted the remarkable rise of success stories of NITK startups such as BHive, Blue Tokai, Delhivery, Practo and Robosoft.
Prof Ravi said, this has been a significant year for NITK. The institute made rapid progress in innovation and entrepreneurship. It introduced new policies, training programs, secured patents, technology licenses, and authored many success stories. He thanked the BoG Chairperson Shri B.V.R. Mohan Reddy and BoG members, Senators, Deans, HoDs, faculty and staff members for their dedication and support for the Institute.
Ten B.Tech. and 31 postgraduate students received Institute Gold Medals and medals sponsored by external agencies for securing the highest grades in their respective programs. These were given by the Chief Guest and Director.
The convocation also showcased NITK’s capacity for large-scale innovation in event management. With 1455 graduates, out of 1995, attending the event in person, along with 1885 parents, the institute faced a logistical challenge to award the degrees at the main venue. In a first-of-its-kind approach, NITK created four parallel mini-stages, enabling degrees to be awarded simultaneously by Deans and HoDs. The model drastically reduced the ceremony duration and allowed every student to receive their degree. The institute handed out all degrees in just over an hour, an organisational feat that drew appreciation from students, parents and alumni.
Shri Niranjan Mahabalappa, President of NITK Alumni Association said: “NITK Convocation was organised wonderfully and stands testament to Institute's legacy of excellence and its unflinching commitment to shaping leaders, innovators and changemakers. I take immense pride in welcoming the batch of 2025 to the NITK global alumni family.”
The campus was bathed in festive colourful lights and the students gathered around selfie-points, reminiscing about their time spent in the campus over the last few years, and promising to keep meeting each other year after year. Director Ravi congratulated and wished them successful careers as well as meaningful lives ahead. “As your alma mater, the gates of NITK will always be open for you, and we will be happy to welcome you to your second home any time,” he added
