GITAM

Hyderabad, September 25, 2018: India has not only developed launch vehicles and satellites but has undertaken extremely challenging and inspiring missions like Chandrayaan, Mars Orbiter Mission and Astrosat, now the country is taking a calculated risk during the Chandrayaan-2 mission, informed Dr. K.Sivan, Chairman, ISRO. He participated in the 9th convocation of GITAM Hyderabad on September 22, 2018, as the Chief Guest here on Saturday. He also received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) on this occasion.

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While addressing the graduands, ISRO Chairman mentioned that more than 50% lunar missions have failed, even though ISRO is taking a calculated risk, because calculated risk along with innovation is absolutely essential if you want to be a major player in the space industry. Briefing about Chandrayaan-2 he informed that the ISRO landing site is above 70-degree latitude where no one else has gone before.

Dr. Sivan announced that India will be having its first demonstration flight of SSLV by mid-2019, which is going to be the cheapest the launch vehicle in the world with the least turnaround time. And also He said that a lot of innovation has gone into the design to ensure that the vehicle is assembled in around 72 hours rather than 70 days required to assemble other launch vehicles. Just 6 people with a laptop can assemble and launch the SSLV, he added.

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“India today has the world’s second largest internet user base. But our present broadband speed is 76th ranked in the world. With high throughput satellites GSAT-11, GSAT-29 and GSAT-20 set to be launched before the end of next year, the country can enjoy more than 100 Gbps high bandwidth connectivity across the country which will help bridge the digital divide”, Dr. K. Sivan announced.

ISRO Chairman informed that Govt. of India has approved Rs. 10,900 crore budget for 30 PSLVs and 10 GSLV Mk-III will be launched in the next four years in addition to more than 50 spacecraft. ISRO is not only interested in engaging with established industries but also would like to see start-ups taking up in this challenge. He observed that there is a major opportunity for avionics. He further informed that ISRO established a capacity building program office to widen the participation of academia and industry in the space sector. The idea is to take part in the activities related to space technology research across the nation through the establishment of Space Technology incubation centers.

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On the occasion of the 9th Convocation the Degree of Doctor of Letters was conferred on Dr. Aekka Yadagiri Rao, Famous Sculptor and Retired Professor, College of Fine Arts, JNFAU, Hyderabad. Dr. Yadagiri Rao has designed the Telangana Martyrs Memorial, which was located at Gun Park, Hyderabad.

Three Ph.D. degrees and over 1,017 graduate and postgraduate degrees were awarded during the 9th Convocation to students in the faculties of technology and management. Toppers of management and various branches of technology were awarded gold medals. Prof. K. Maruthi Prasad, Head of the Department of Mathematics, and Dr. R. Radhika, Associate Professor, GITAM HBS, were honored with the “Best Researcher” Awards on this occasion.

GITAM Chancellor Prof. K. Ramakrishna Rao, in his address, said that in the exploration of inner space Indians have a head start as we have inherited a rich tradition. It is only now the world has been to recognize the importance of inner exploration. Exploring inner space has important ramifications for the well-being of the person and the world around him. It gives one a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of people and the environment surrounding them.

GITAM Vice-Chancellor Prof. M.S. Prasada Rao briefed the annual report. Parents of graduating students, GITAM Vice President, Prof. M. Gangadhara Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellors, heads of institutes, heads of departments, faculty, and staff of GITAM participated in the 9th Convocation.