- 350-plus new BTech students begin a four-week Foundation Programme designed to go beyond classrooms, textbooks and examination scores
- Values, ethics, creativity, teamwork, social awareness and sports form the five pillars of the immersive programme
- Guest of Honour Salil Agrawal urges students to follow their interests, embrace mistakes and build their own identity
- Director Prof Rajat Moona delivers a powerful pep talk, reminding students that 60–70% of education happens outside classrooms
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, JULY 22
The JEE chapter is over. The real test has just begun.
With this powerful message at its heart, the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) welcomed its new BTech students into a transformative four-week Foundation Programme — a journey designed not merely to produce brilliant engineers, but to nurture curious minds, courageous thinkers, compassionate citizens and future nation-builders.
The immersive programme, which will continue till August 15, 2026, offers more than an introduction to campus life. It is a carefully designed launchpad into a new phase of life, encouraging students to explore their interests, question conventions, discover their strengths and develop the confidence to chart their own paths.
The Foundation Programme reflects IITGN’s distinctive holistic approach to education, combining academic preparedness with values, ethics, creativity, teamwork, social awareness, physical activity and sports.
The inauguration was marked by the lighting of the auspicious lamp by dignitaries, formally heralding the beginning of the new BTech batch’s four-week Foundation Programme.
‘You are among the brightest—now build your own identity’
Delivering an inspiring message to the new students, Salil Agrawal, Author, Mentor and Coach of IIMAGES and President of Suvitama, who was present as Guest of Honour, urged them to look beyond the pursuit of academic excellence.
“You are among the brightest students in the country, but your journey begins now. Follow your own interests, take responsibility for your decisions, and do not be afraid of making mistakes because that is how real learning happens. Academic excellence is important, but it is equally important to think differently and develop your own identity. Use your time at IIT Gandhinagar to explore and become the person you truly aspire to be,” he said.
His message resonated with the larger purpose of the Foundation Programme — to help students transition from a highly competitive examination environment to a vibrant ecosystem of exploration, collaboration and self-discovery.
Director’s pep talk: ‘Education does not end at the classroom door’
Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar, welcomed more than 350 newly admitted BTech students and encouraged them to embrace the Institute’s vibrant and interdisciplinary learning environment.
Urging students to look beyond textbooks and examinations, he encouraged them to explore the world, interact with people, experience new situations and develop a practical understanding of engineering and life.
“At IIT Gandhinagar, we believe that about 60 to 70 per cent of education takes place outside classrooms. Trust your own intuition and passion, make the most of the opportunities that the Institute has to offer, and keep your eyes and mind open for knowledge,” he remarked.
The message was clear: the IITGN experience is not limited to lectures, laboratories or grades. It is about learning from people, experiences, failures, collaborations and the world around them.
Five pillars to build a stronger tomorrow
The four-week Foundation Programme is structured around five core pillars:
- Values and Ethics
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Social Awareness
- Physical Activities and Sports
The programme offers students a refreshing transition from the intense academic preparation associated with the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
Over the four weeks, students will participate in music, dance, sports, art, community outreach initiatives and hands-on creative workshops.
These experiences are designed to cultivate curiosity, empathy, leadership, confidence and a spirit of inquiry — qualities that will shape students not only as engineers, but also as responsible citizens.
Motivational talks by thought leaders, industry experts and innovators will further expose students to diverse perspectives and provide opportunities to interact with eminent personalities from different fields.
A foundation for a better tomorrow
With the launch of the Foundation Programme, IITGN has now welcomed its entire incoming academic batch for 2026-27.
Earlier, on July 17, 2026, the Institute launched Aarohan 2026, its 15-day orientation programme for more than 500 newly admitted postgraduate and PhD students.
Together, the Foundation Programme and Aarohan 2026 reflect IITGN’s commitment to laying a strong foundation for students across all levels.
The programmes familiarise students with the Institute’s academic culture, interdisciplinary approach to learning, research ecosystem, campus resources and opportunities in innovation, leadership, wellbeing and personal growth.
At IIT Gandhinagar, the new academic journey has begun not with a race for marks, but with an invitation to think deeper, explore wider, stand taller and build a better tomorrow — for themselves and for the nation.
