Alumni of the National Institute of Technology-Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, across multiple batches, returned to campus to mark the Institute’s 67th Foundation Day on Friday, with over 100 alumni from the 1981 batch alone joining the celebrations with their families.

The occasion saw the formal handover of two electric buggies to the campus under CAMPUS 81, a mobility initiative driven by the 1981 batch. CAMPUS 81 (Collaborative Alumni Mobility Partnership for University Sustainability) is an ongoing project under the CAMP (Contribute to Alma Mater Projects) programme, launched by the 1981 batch in 2018.

The initiative, with a total project cost of ₹17 lakh, comprises two electric buggies, a solar-powered charging facility and a GPS-enabled campus tour and information system, together forming a mobility ecosystem for the campus. The project was designed, fabricated, and led by U. Pruthviraj (associate professor and project coordinator of CAMPUS 81) and his team.

As part of the initiative, NIT-K has introduced CAMPUS 81 Electric Buggy to provide transportation for senior citizens, visitors, alumni, students and persons requiring mobility assistance. The buggies run on solar-generated power from the newly installed charging facility and will operate alongside the GPS-enabled tour and information system.

The project supports NIT-K’s broader goal of developing a sustainable, net-zero campus.

Present at the ceremony were B. Ravi, Director, NITK, Venkapayya Desai, Director, IIT Dharwad, D Prasanna Belur, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), Mr. Pruthviraj and alumni representatives.

Published - August 08, 2026 06:33 pm IST