Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) began its flagship 5-week Foundation Program (FP) today by welcoming total 209 new BTech students for 2019-2023 batch. This year, the batch has students from 20 states of the country, with the highest number of students coming from Rajasthan (50), followed by Gujarat (44), and Maharashtra (32). Besides, there are 17 students from Andhra Pradesh, 15 from Telangana, 12 from Madhya Pradesh, 11 from Uttar Pradesh, and 6 from Bihar, among others. The new batch has an increased gender ratio, with 17% female students joining the Institute in various disciplines.
Addressing the students, Prof Amit Prashant, Officiating Director, IITGN, recalled the thought process and experience behind designing and executing pioneering student-centric programmes such as the Foundation Program and why it adds tremendous value for the students. He congratulated the new batch of students and their parents. Requesting the parents, he said, “Support your children’s decisions and their choice of path. This program is going to make students capable of taking their decisions.” Advising the students on leadership qualities, he said, “A leader is the one who builds his/her team, sees its potential and nurtures it. These small things are to be learned”.
Earlier, Prof Harish PM, Dean of Student Affairs, introduced students to the unique, high quality academic programmes and other opportunities at IITGN that prepares the students not just for the jobs but more so for long term success. Prof Pratik Mutha, Dean of Academic Affairs, highlighted the importance of Foundation Program, which makes students think beyond JEE, opens up their minds and expands their horizons, helps them make new friends and forge long- lasting bonds. He also introduced students to the flexible academic programmes available at IITGN. He encouraged the students to work hard.
There are numerous opportunities available at the Institute. We are moving from the age of survival to the age of growth in India. The age of survival had few opportunities, but now we don’t have to worry about that. This is the age of growth, where there will be thousands of opportunities, not only here but also after graduation; and we will have to be judicious about what we want to do, how we want to do it, how we want to navigate the world. One should have enough confidence in that he/she will do better and once he/she has that confidence, the focus will be on what he/she can contribute.
Prof Amit PrashantIITGN 2015 batch alumnus Aakash Keshav Singh, while sharing his journey at IITGN, mentioned 3 distinctive things about IITGN to take pride in, i.e. 1) Foundation Program, which changes the perspective on life, 2) Overseas internship opportunities, and 3) A flat, no-hierarchy system. Current graduating batch student Jammu Tarunkumar described IITGN as a safety net where students can take their decisions. He also highlighted that IITGN gifts its students communication skills, networking opportunities and an ocean of experiences. Arpita Kabra, a 2nd year BTech student at IITGN, shared her journey during the last one year and the learning opportunities she got at the Institute doing various projects and also in the Invent@IITGN programme. The inauguration ceremony was followed by an orientation session on the Foundation Program 2019.
About Foundation Program:
The Foundation Program is targeted at holistic development of students by immersing them in various activities designed around 5 major themes: (1) values and ethics, (2) creativity, (3) teamwork, (4) social awareness and (5) physical fitness. It will go on till August 25, 2019, before commencement of the formal academic classes.