Alumni Interaction Program – ReUnite’18

The alumni interaction program was a post-lunch session organized as a part of ReUnite’18. Keeping in line with the tradition of past meets the session saw various alumni get together for an informal meet with students representing the various clubs and societies operating within the institute. This was followed by a faculty-alumni meet mainly to commemorate the achievements of the 1989-93 batch.

The highlight of the alumni meet was the silver jubilee of 89-93 batch, which incidentally was the first batch of engineers produced by this august institute. The meet witnessed maximum participation from the alumni of this batch who came in huge numbers to attend the event. The student interaction began with a presentation by Prayaas society, who highlighted the efforts taken by the students and faculty to provide a decent education to the underprivileged students of the area. This was followed by a presentation by the training and placement cell of the institute. All members were glad to hear that NITJ is currently ranked the best among all NITs in terms of placements. The presentation by Entrepreneurship Cell of the institute was also well received by the alumni who encouraged the students to keep the efforts to build a healthy startup culture within the institute. Their interest was apparent as many of them were successful entrepreneurs themselves.
This was followed by presentations by teams Avishkar, Perianth and Daksh, all of whom were well received by the alumni. With a final presentation from the Innovation Club, the session came to an end.

The student interaction was followed by a session conducted by the Director of the institute for the alumni. The meet began with an address by Dr Mukhopadhyay, Head of the alumni meet who welcomed the guests present and congratulated the gathering for the amazing placement record of the institute for session 17-18. His speech was followed by an address by Dr Vinay Midha, the President of the NITJ Alumni Association (NITJAA) and himself a pass out of the 93 batch. He spoke highly of the achievements of the past students and expressed confidence in the future of the institute. He raised a request for a permanent office for the NITJ Alumni Association within the new SAC building. He encouraged the alumni to participate in the affairs of the institute with greater zeal and vigour.

His speech was followed by an informal talk by Mr Amrinderpal Singh Wirk, an alumnus and Co-Founder of a software consultancy firm in Silicon Valley, who volunteered to share his memories about the 93 batch. His words on how the institute used to be like a military camp and how, over the years, his batch mates have remained the same, found resonance among all present. Moreover, he spoke highly of the sense of national integration that NITs invoke among the students. Mr Anirudh Khanna, followed up with an advice of, take life as it comes and be prepared to face challenges. His words were well received by the students.

This was followed by a presentation by the Director of the institute, Dr LK Awasthi, who highlighted the work done within, since he took over. His vision for establishing the brand NITJ was appreciated by all present. The Director highlighted how the intake of students would soon be increased to 10,000, how students could now get a major and a minor degree and how construction for mega boys (phase 2) and girls hostel had now been approved. He pointed out that the institute was starting up with two new branches, namely electrical engineering and Information Technology from the batch 2018-22. The director also highlighted the jump in the institute rankings within NIRF since he took over, and urged everyone present to strive harder to establish a strong brand NITJ
The gathering witnessed participation from three ex-directors of the institute who also were the teachers for the 93 batch. Speeches by Dr SPS Mishra, Dr. HS Sagar and Dr R Sharma brought tears in all eyes as people remembered the difficulties faced in raising the institute. Dr Sagar likened the 93 batch to the first child in a family, dearly loved and admired. Dr Chandi, a professor who taught the first batch shared his words of love and respect for the institute. The meet concluded with final remarks by few more alumni and a felicitation ceremony for all. This was followed by tea organized by members of team SARC.