NITK Surathkal Holds Ring Presentation Ceremony; 2,100 Students Honoured
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Apr 26, 2026: National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, conducted its annual Ring Presentation Ceremony on Friday at its campus, with 2,100 graduating students receiving silver rings engraved with the institute’s emblem and their year of graduation, symbolising a lifelong bond with the institution.
The tradition, introduced over five decades ago by AS Adke, is considered unique in India. Faculty members personally present the rings to students, fostering a sense of unity among NITK alumni across generations and across the globe.
This year’s recipients included students from multiple programmes: BTech (988), MTech (708), MCA (67), MBA (75), MSc Physics (34), MSc Chemistry (34), MTech (Research) (40), and PhD (154).
The ceremony was graced by Padma Shri awardee and distinguished alumnus Kota Ullas Karanth, Emeritus Director of the Centre for Wildlife Studies, as chief guest. It was presided over by NITK Director B Ravi. Dean of Students’ Welfare Govinda Raj Mandela and Dean of Academics Dwarakish, along with faculty, staff and other functionaries, were present.
Addressing the gathering, Karanth drew parallels between wildlife science and engineering, describing conservation biology as an applied science that uses fundamental principles to solve real-world problems. He highlighted three critical pillars of wildlife conservation—recovery of endangered species, mitigation of human-animal conflict, and sustainable use of wildlife to support local communities.
He emphasised that effective conservation is driven by rigorous field data rather than sentiment alone, and shared insights on eco-modernism and sustainable landscapes as key frameworks for modern conservation practices.
In his remarks, Prof Ravi highlighted NITK’s unique location between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, noting that it offers students opportunities to stay connected with nature. He added that alumni from decades past continue to wear their rings with pride, reflecting their enduring association with the institute.