IISER Thiruvananthapuram Holds 13th Convocation, Dr. Krishna Ella Urges Graduates to Champion Innovation

Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER TVM) celebrated its 13th Convocation at its scenic Vithura campus on Saturday, marking another milestone in its journey as a premier institution of scientific education and research.

Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech International Limited, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Prof. Arvind Anant Natu, Chairperson of the Board of Governors.

Degrees were awarded to a total of 390 graduates, including 258 BS-MS, 76 MSc, 15 MS (Research), 26 PhD, and 15 Integrated PhD students. The convocation also honoured exceptional academic and cultural achievements. Jacob Cherry Sam received the Institute Gold Medal for All-Round Excellence, Eswar Krishnan N A was conferred the Director’s Gold Medal for Academic Excellence, and Adithya J was presented with the Cultural Medal.

Prof. J. N. Moorthy, Director of IISER TVM, shared the Institute’s annual report, noting its steady growth with over 2,100 students and 112 faculty members. He highlighted the launch of the interdisciplinary i² Sciences programme and the creation of two new schools — Data Science and Earth, Environmental and Sustainability Sciences. Emphasizing the institution’s growing collaboration with industry, he underlined the rising recognition of its research through national and international funding and accolades.

In his convocation address, Dr. Krishna Ella reflected on India’s deep-rooted respect for education and shared insights from his journey leading Bharat Biotech. He stressed the importance of imagination, skill, and knowledge in driving innovation, particularly in fields like AI, quantum science, and synthetic biology. He also advocated for the integration of traditional Indian knowledge systems with modern scientific practices, and praised IISER TVM’s interdisciplinary model as essential for cultivating future-ready scientific minds.

Prof. Arvind Anant Natu congratulated the graduates and called upon them to contribute to solving pressing global and national issues. He encouraged the young scientists to apply cutting-edge technologies such as AI and IoT in socially responsible ways, particularly in sectors like renewable energy, advanced materials, and healthcare.

IISER TVM graduates continue to make their mark in academia, industry, and public service, with many securing prestigious placements in leading global universities, faculty positions at renowned institutions, and roles in civil services and research-intensive industries.