Tawde Addresses Convocation in Bhagalpur
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national general secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vinod Tawde addressed the graduating students of IIIT Bhagalpur during a convocation ceremony held on September 26, 2026, in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
Tawde congratulated the students on achieving an important milestone in their academic journey. He stated that the degrees awarded at the convocation mark not the end of their academic pursuits but the beginning of a new intellectual and professional journey.
During his address, Tawde urged graduates to utilize their knowledge and skills for national development and societal progress. He emphasized that the true purpose of education is to transform individuals into meaningful contributors to society, rather than merely securing personal advancement.
Connecting Modern Technology with Historical Legacy
Tawde highlighted Bhagalpur’s history as home to Vikramshila, noting that IIIT Bhagalpur is carrying forward this legacy through modern information technology. He called on students to "connect knowledge with humility, skills with national service, and success with values," framing their technical education within a broader ethical context.
Regarding the future of innovation, Tawde stated that breakthroughs will emerge at the intersection of diverse fields. He cited specific examples such as the convergence of artificial intelligence and healthcare, semiconductors and geopolitics, climate and technology, and agriculture and data.
To navigate this complex landscape, he advised students to develop deep technical expertise alongside a broad interdisciplinary outlook. Tawde identified adaptability—the ability to continuously learn and understand complex problems—as the most enduring strength for graduates in a rapidly changing technological environment.
Technology Must Address Real Societal Needs
Tawde stressed that technology must address real societal needs, specifically mentioning challenges in Bihar. Citing IIIT Bhagalpur initiatives such as AI-based pest identification, solar energy cold storage, and rural healthcare, he illustrated how academic work can translate into tangible public benefit.
He defined innovation broadly to include new research methodologies, novel applications of existing technologies, and tools to improve public systems, rather than limiting the concept to just launching new enterprises. This broader definition was intended to encourage students to look beyond traditional startup models when considering their impact.
Embracing Diverse Career Paths and Setbacks
Tawde encouraged graduates to remain open to diverse career paths, including transitions between research, industry, entrepreneurship, corporate sectors, public policy, and teaching. He urged students to view failure and setbacks as integral parts of the learning process and opportunities for improvement, rather than as definitive endpoints.