On September 8, 2026, the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi observed the 18th Foundation Day in the presence of its students, faculty, alumni and employees. The celebration was held to acknowledge the journey of the Institute in terms of academic excellence, research and innovation, as well as institution building. The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Knowledge, Innovation, Impact’, which highlights how IIIT-Delhi has grown into a Centre of Excellence in India in terms of education, research and innovation.
Through this year’s theme, the Institute was able to emphasise its objectives of creating knowledge, encouraging innovation to overcome challenges, and having the desired impacts on society and the nation through its pioneering ideas. The event was also an occasion to look back at what the IIIT-Delhi community has achieved in the last 18 years.
The day began with a meaningful step towards a greener future through a tree plantation drive led by Prof. Sandeep Sen, Director, IIIT-Delhi, and Dr. Deepika Bhasker, Registrar, IIIT-Delhi followed by a celebration ceremony in the evening.
Prof. Sandeep Sen’s (Director, IIIT-Delhi) address took a pivotal place in the celebrations, reflecting on IIIT-Delhi’s development and future goals. The founding Director Prof. Pankaj Jalote also addressed the gathering.
The event highlighted students’ creative as well as cultural abilities through classical singing and dancing performances staged by the students and a unique yoga performance.
The Foundation Day celebration included an important awards ceremony that honoured outstanding contributions and achievements in various areas of the Institute. The awards recognised achievements of the professors, alumni, and students who have helped develop IIIT-Delhi’s academic environment.
Those who were given awards included FMS Awards, Prof. Rajiv Sangal Fellowship, Faculty Awards for Teaching Excellence, Young Alumni Awards, Kartikey Gupta Memorial Scholarship, Staff Awards. Students were also awarded for their outstanding achievements in academics, outreach activities, sports, leadership, etc through Dean of Academic Affairs’ Awards, Dean of Student Affairs’ Awards, and Dean of Communication and Alumni Affairs’ Awards.
The celebrations of the 18th Foundation Day presented an opportunity for the institute to bond together as IIIT-Delhi restated its commitment to the mission of creating knowledge and putting ideas into practice by nurturing innovation processes. While looking forward, it reaffirmed its commitment to building an academic and research ecosystem promoting curiosity, interdisciplinary thinking, and innovation in the course of developing future technology leaders.
