The National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, celebrated the diamond jubilee reunion of its 1965 BE batch on 18 February 2025, with 18 alumni returning to their alma mater to mark the milestone.
Commemorating six decades of legacy
The event was held at the NITK campus and was presided over by Prof. B Ravi, Director, NITK. Shri K.M. Nirmal Kumar, a distinguished alumnus from the 1965 batch, was the chief guest. Shri N.R. Shetty, former principal of Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC), the precursor to NITK, also graced the occasion and released a special diamond jubilee souvenir.
Other prominent attendees included Prof. Shrikantha S. Rao, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations, Shri A.S. Karanth (1970 alumnus), Shri R. Krishnamurthy (1981 alumnus), and Shri Niranjan Bahaballapa, President of the Bengaluru Chapter of the NITK Alumni Association.
Strengthening alumni bonds and institutional progress
In his presidential address, Prof. B Ravi highlighted NITK’s strides in faculty expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and community engagement initiatives under the institution’s Good to Great mission. He encouraged alumni to embrace the “4 R’s”: Return, Reconnect, Relive, and Redefine their engagement with the institution. He invited suggestions and collaborative efforts from the alumni to strengthen NITK’s growth trajectory.
Shri K.M. Nirmal Kumar reflected on the evolution of KREC into NITK and paid tribute to departed faculty and batchmates. The gathering was treated to a nostalgic video presentation titled Journey from KREC to NITK, curated by Dr. Soumya Kamath, Associate Dean (Alumni).
Alumni honoured and reconnecting with the past
The 1965 batch presented tokens of gratitude to the Director, Deputy Director, and senior faculty members. Lifelong NITK alumni ID cards were issued to the attendees, a new initiative aimed at fostering stronger alumni connections.
Shri M. Narasinga Rai, from the 1965 batch, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the formative role KREC/NITK played in their personal and professional journeys. He expressed appreciation to the institution’s founders, Sri U. Srinivasa Malya and Shri Vittal Prabhu, as well as to Shri N.R. Shetty, the administration, and his fellow alumni for organizing the event.
Campus tour and reliving memories
The celebration concluded with a nostalgic campus tour for alumni and their families. They revisited lecture halls, hostels, research centres, and the scenic Surathkal beach, reminiscing about their student days while observing the campus’s transformation over the decades.
Conclusion
The diamond jubilee event underscored the lasting bond between NITK and its alumni, reaffirming their collective commitment to supporting the institute’s future endeavours.