The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) hosted its 56th Annual Convocation in New Delhi 2 August 2025, marking a significant milestone in the academic journey of over 500 doctoral scholars conferred this year.
5 scholars from the UQ-IITD Joint PhD Program were conferred their degrees at the ceremony, bringing the total number of graduands of the Academy to 23, highlighting the strength and success of this international research collaboration.
These scholars completed their doctoral research across diverse fields in renewable energy, advanced materials, water management tools, social policy, using media and technologies in social movements, all under the joint supervision of both The University of Queensland (UQ) and IITD academics. Their work exemplifies academic excellence, interdisciplinary innovation, and global collaboration.
UQ’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships), Mr Brett Lovegrove, acknowledged the students for demonstrating their excellence in academic and industry leadership roles.
“It was a pleasure to participate in the ceremony and witness our 5 graduates among nearly 3,000 students celebrated that day. Based on the calibre of recent research presentations from the Academy’s current PhD candidates, we can expect many more to follow in their footsteps in the years ahead,” he said.
Congratulations to the 2025 graduands:
The degrees were formally conferred by UQ Chancellor, Mr Peter N Varghese AO, alongside IITD Deputy Director (Operations) Professor Arvind K Nema, and UQ Graduate School Dean Professor Virginia Slaughter. The Academy celebrated the accomplishment and research progress of its scholars through a pre-convocation afternoon tea and a Research Showcase and Engagement event following the ceremony.
The showcase brought together UQ and IITD executives, faculty, with 14 scholars who presented their research progress, key achievements, and reflections on their academic journey. Their projects span across the Academy’s 6 key research themes.
IITD Dean of Industrial Research and Development Professor Ashwini K Agrawal expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative research being undertaken through the Academy. He emphasized the importance of hearing about the scholars’ experiences and achievements through the program. He acknowledged the exceptional quality of research emerging from the Academy and reaffirmed their support for expanding the program’s reach and impact.
In attendance of the event, Mr Varghese AO praised the strategic partnership between UQ and IITD, noting that it has grown beyond its original vision as a joint PhD initiative to become a broader platform for impactful, cross-continental research and innovation.
Professor Slaughter highlighted the unique advantages of the program,
“Through the 2 dedicated research institutions at UQ and IITD, UQ-IITD PhD scholars gain valuable leadership skills, cross-cultural experience, and enhanced communication abilities—opportunities not typically available to non-UQ-IITD scholars.,” she said.
Thesis supervisors commended the scholars for their exceptional dedication, impressive publication records, and strong leadership. Many have successfully secured competitive national and international grants, enabling them to present their research at leading global conferences. Upon graduation, most Academy scholars have gone on to join prestigious academic institutions and industry roles, where they continue to advance research and innovation across India, Australia, and across the globe.