iLabs Group Chairman Chintalapati Srinivasa Raju on Tuesday urged students to focus on opportunities in the manufacturing sector and pursue innovative research to help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Delivering the convocation address at the eighth convocation of the National Institute of Technology Andhra Pradesh (NIT-A.P.) at Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district, Mr. Srinivasa Raju said new technologies were emerging rapidly and students should equip themselves with the skills required to master them.

A total of 644 B.Tech and 53 Ph.D. degrees were awarded at the convocation.

IIT Tirupati Director K. N. Satyanarayana, who was the Guest of Honour, said the degrees reflected the students’ hard work, perseverance and discipline.

“India is moving towards global leadership in manufacturing, space, renewable energy, semiconductors and innovation, and young minds have a vital role to play in this journey,” Prof. Satyanarayana said.

Highlighting the decade-long journey of NIT Andhra Pradesh, In-Charge Director N. V. Ramana Rao said the first phase of infrastructure development, with an outlay of ₹411 crore, was under way on the campus.

Efforts were being made to establish modern laboratories and research centres to strengthen teaching and research facilities, he said.

Prof. Ramana Rao added that NIT Andhra Pradesh had secured a position in the 201-300 band in the engineering category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings for 2025.

Published - August 04, 2026 05:58 pm IST