Mohali: Former President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday urged young engineers to use their knowledge and technological expertise for nation-building as he addressed the second convocation ceremony of Plaksha University in Mohali, where he also conferred a BTech degree on his grandson.Calling it a matter of immense pride, Kovind said the occasion became even more special as it coincided with the anniversary of the day he took oath as the 14th President of India on July 25, 2017.“I took the oath as the President of India on July 25, 2017, and today, on the same date, I have the privilege of conferring degrees on these young graduates. It is also a matter of immense pride and happiness for me that I had the honour of conferring a degree on my grandson,” Kovind said.
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Using the occasion to inspire students, he referred to former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam as an ideal role model, saying Kalam dedicated his life to advancing science and technology while serving the nation. Kovind encouraged the graduates to create opportunities for others and contribute meaningfully to India’s future rather than pursuing only personal success.The technology-focused institution awarded BTech degrees to 90 students of the Class of 2026 across computer science & AI, data science, economics & business, robotics & autonomous systems, and biological systems engineering during the ceremony held at its Mohali campus.The event was attended by Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria, former DRDO chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, chancellor Prof Shankar Sastry, members of the board, faculty, founding donors, parents and students.Congratulating the graduating students, Kataria called upon them to transform themselves from job seekers into job creators.“A convocation marks the culmination of years of hard work by students, sacrifices made by parents and the dedicated efforts of teachers. As you step into the professional world, your responsibility extends beyond personal aspirations. Education should not only help you secure employment or wealth but should also build national capability, foster entrepreneurship and generate employment opportunities for others,” he said.He added that India has repeatedly demonstrated its talent and self-reliance and urged the graduates to use their time, intelligence and dedication to leave a lasting impact on the nation.Dr Kamat said the graduates were entering an era where technology increasingly operates across interdisciplinary domains.“Your education here has equipped you with the skills required to thrive in this rapidly evolving technological landscape. Do not hesitate to pursue ambitious goals or learn from failures, as they are often the greatest teachers. The future belongs to those who collaborate, continuously learn and remain committed to excellence. Your generation has the potential to strengthen India’s technological self-reliance and contribute towards making India a developed nation by 2047,” he said.Prof Sastry said the graduating class was stepping into a world shaped by artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence and quantum technologies.“You are graduating at a time of extraordinary technological transformation. While these advancements present immense opportunities, they also demand responsibility. Your challenge will be to ensure that innovation serves society safely, ethically and for the greater good. The resilience, interdisciplinary learning and values you have developed here should help you invent the future while building a more compassionate world,” he said.The ceremony concluded with the conferring of degrees in the presence of faculty members, trustees, founding donors and family members, marking another milestone in the institution’s journey as a leading centre for technology education and research.
