PM Modi to be a part of IIT Guwahati virtual convocation as a chief guest

IIT Guwahati is set to hold its 22nd convocation on September 22 and it would be a virtual event in-keeping with the requirements of the Covid-19 pandemic. PM Narendra Modi is set to address students at the convocation as the chief guest.

IIT Guwahati is following in the footsteps of several other IITs such as IIT Bombay and IIT Gandhinagar in hosting a avirtual convocation ceremony. But unlike most virtual events such as convocations and award ceremonies being conducted now, IIT Guwahati has gone one step ahead to create a virtual reality experience involving virtual avatars of students for the pleasure of students and teachers viewing the event from their home.

Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre will be the guests of honour. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will



also be attending as a special guest.

Dr Rajiv I Modi, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Guwahati, and Prof. TG Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, will address the gathering during the event.

IIT Guwahati has created a virtual reality-based award distribution where one can experience an avatar of the recipient of the award collecting a medal from the IIT Guwahati Director's own avatar, right from the comfort of their home.

The institute has also created a virtual photo-booth, with an option of different backgrounds, for students to take pictures at some selected locations on the campus.

To celebrate their graduates’ accomplishments online through virtual mode, IIT Guwahati’s faculty and students have developed a telepresence module for a virtual visit to the institute.