Space Official Calls for Technology-Driven Social Uplift at Nagpur Engineering Convocation
In a powerful address at the 12th graduation ceremony of Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering (YCCE) in Nagpur, Deputy Director of Bengaluru's UR Rao Satellite Centre, Pramod Belgaonkar, emphasized the critical role of technology in advancing society and contributing to India's development vision. The event, held on Saturday, celebrated the academic achievements of 1,419 students who received their degrees.
Convocation Highlights and Awards Distribution
The ceremony witnessed a total of 1,419 students being awarded degrees, comprising 1,311 undergraduate and 108 postgraduate recipients. Among these graduates, 47 students were specially honored with awards for demonstrating exceptional academic excellence. Notable award recipients included:
- Satvika Satyanarayana Athena (BTech in Industrial Internet of Things)
- Abhijeet Uttam Konar (BTech in Information Technology)
- Gagan Dhiraj Loya (BTech in Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering)
- Sadaf Firdaus Md Afzal Ansari (MTech in Data Science)
- Saniya Keshav Ganvir (MBA)
The program was presided over by Datta Meghe, Chairman of Nagar Yuwak Shikshan Sanstha, while Principal UP Waghe welcomed the gathering and highlighted the institution's significant progress, describing the convocation as a celebration of students' hard work and dedication.
Belgaonkar's Vision for Youth and Technology
Belgaonkar, in his keynote address, stressed that India is making rapid strides in science and technology to meet global demands, and the youth must play a pivotal role in shaping the nation's future. He urged the graduating students to focus on three key areas:
- Innovation and Research: Encouraging students to push boundaries in technological advancements.
- Entrepreneurship: Motivating them to create solutions that address real-world problems.
- Social Application of Technology: Using technological tools to tackle pressing social challenges.
"While building your careers, remember to contribute to society. Service to society brings a deep sense of pride and fulfilment to self," Belgaonkar advised the graduates. He further emphasized that students should pursue their own interests and carve unique paths rather than merely following conventional routes.
Human Element in Technological Advancement
Guest of honor Manali Kshirsagar, Vice-Chancellor of Nagpur University, added an important dimension to the discussion by highlighting the irreplaceable value of human emotions in the age of artificial intelligence. She noted that regardless of how advanced AI becomes, it cannot replicate human emotional intelligence.
Kshirsagar encouraged students to work towards creating a more humane and rational world, balancing technological progress with emotional and ethical considerations. This perspective complemented Belgaonkar's call for technology with a human touch, creating a comprehensive vision for the graduates' future contributions.
The convocation ceremony thus served as both a celebration of academic achievement and a platform for inspiring the next generation of engineers and technologists to leverage their skills for national development and social betterment.
