- Alumni meet focuses on continuity of values, mentorship and shared responsibility across generations
Faculty reflect on IITGN’s culture of openness, interdisciplinarity and evolving education
Alumni share life lessons shaped by campus learning beyond classrooms
Over 60 alumni return to campus for dialogue, reflection and community building
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, DEC 21
Reinforcing the idea that an institution is defined as much by its people as by its infrastructure, IIT Gandhinagar’s Homecoming 2025 set out with a clear aim: to reconnect alumni with the institute’s founding values while creating meaningful bridges between past, present and future students. The two-day alumni meet began on December 20 at the IIT Gandhinagar campus, drawing graduates back to the place where their academic and personal journeys began.
Opening the event, former director Sudhir Jain reflected on the philosophy that guided the institute in its formative years. “When we began the journey of building IIT Gandhinagar, we were clear that an institution cannot be defined only by buildings or rankings. It is shaped by the culture it nurtures, the questions it allows students to ask, and the values it chooses to uphold,” he said.
Recalling the early years of experimentation, he added, “We consciously created an environment where learning was open, interdisciplinary, and rooted in curiosity rather than rigid boundaries. There were moments of hesitation and resistance, as is natural with any new academic model, but those moments were also signs of engagement and growth. Education must allow space for debate, experimentation, and even discomfort, because that is how meaningful learning takes place.”
Expressing satisfaction at seeing alumni carry this ethos forward, Jain said, “It is deeply gratifying to return to campus and see alumni carrying this spirit forward in their work, their thinking, and their continued connection to the institute. That continuity of values is the true measure of an institution’s success.” He further noted, “Education is not a fixed process; it evolves through reflection, dialogue, and the willingness to rethink established practices.”
Director Rajat Moona highlighted how the alumni meet aligned with IITGN’s growth and future direction. “IIT Gandhinagar has grown tremendously since its first batch, evolving into a campus with strong academic programs and vibrant student life,” he said. Emphasising holistic learning, he added, “Our students come from diverse backgrounds and learn not just in classrooms, but through living, collaborating, and adapting in hostels and across campus activities.”
Detailing new academic initiatives, Moona said, “We have introduced programs in AI, design, and maritime engineering, along with interdisciplinary initiatives, to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world.” On the importance of alumni engagement, he noted, “Events like the Alumni Homecoming allow us to celebrate these achievements and connect past and present students. Seeing alumni return to campus, share their experiences, and engage with current students reinforces the sense of community and pride that has always defined IIT Gandhinagar.”
Welcoming the alumni, Leslee Lazar underlined their role in shaping the next generation. “Alumni have a unique role in shaping the future of our students,” she said. “Over the years, they have gained knowledge and experience that can enrich the learning of current students, helping them grow like branches on a tree that extend from the strong trunk of education.” She added, “Alumni engagement allows us to bridge this gap, share insights, and add new ‘branches’ to the education we provide, creating a vibrant community of knowledge and mentorship.”
Manish Kumar highlighted the importance of student participation and campus life. “Student engagement across hostels, clubs, and cultural, sports, and technical activities is at the heart of a vibrant campus,” he said. “Events like the Alumni Homecoming provide a special opportunity to connect current students with alumni and reflect how the institute’s values continue to shape a thriving and inclusive community.”
Speaking about IITGN’s broader educational vision, Jaison Manjaly said, “At IIT Gandhinagar, our aim has never been to produce narrowly defined specialists alone. We want students to explore, experiment, and discover who they want to become.” He added, “What matters most is that students grow into confident, thoughtful individuals who find meaning in what they do—and that is the learning environment we strive to create here.”
Alumni reflections formed the emotional core of the homecoming. Ramesh Kumar, alumnus from the 2015 batch, observed, “In classrooms we often ignore friction to simplify equations, but life works the opposite way. Friction—whether in careers, relationships, or finances—is what enables movement and growth.” He added, “My time at IIT Gandhinagar taught me that even small efforts, when applied with purpose, can create a lasting impact beyond campus.”
Sharing a sense of return, Randad Akshay Purushottamji said, “Coming back to IIT Gandhinagar feels like returning home. It brings back memories of friendships, shared struggles, and the wide range of emotions we experienced together—moments that shaped who we are today.” He added, “The academic foundation and interdisciplinary approach here helped me contextualise my research and translate it into real-world applications.”
Ankit Pandole reflected on problem-solving skills gained on campus. “IIT Gandhinagar taught us how to think, not just what to learn,” he said. “From open-ended problem statements to startup culture and design thinking, the campus encouraged us to question, experiment, and grow beyond conventional boundaries.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Akash Keshav Singh said, “This campus was not just a place of learning, but a space where many of us found confidence, freedom, and purpose.” He added, “That impact continues long after we leave campus.”
More than 60 alumni from undergraduate and postgraduate batches participated in Homecoming 2025, reconnecting with faculty, engaging with students and strengthening professional and personal networks. Discipline-wise interactions, networking lunches and dinners, and informal campus activities helped renew long-standing bonds.
The first day concluded with community-focused activities including DJ nights, Hallabol gully cricket, faculty interactions and Chai Pe Charcha, reinforcing the central aim of the alumni meet: sustaining a living relationship between IIT Gandhinagar and its alumni, rooted in shared values, dialogue and collective growth.
