A Day of Celebration, Connection and Giving Back at IIST 

15 August 2026 was a truly memorable day for the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and the IIST Alumni Association (IISTAA), as more than 50 alumni from different graduating batches came together with students, faculty and the Institute leadership for a vibrant one-day Alumni Meet.

Held alongside the celebration of India’s 80th Independence Day, the programme beautifully reflected the enduring bond between IIST and its alumni community. Alumni from some of the earliest graduating batches to the most recent ones participated enthusiastically, reconnecting with the Institute and sharing their experiences, career journeys and insights with the next generation of IISTians.

The programme featured meaningful interactions with the Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, Deans and faculty members, along with alumni–student interactions, an Alumni Unconference, an Ignite session, student-club engagements and a cultural programme.

Highlights of the Day

🏅 IISTAA Alumni Awards

For the first time, the IIST Alumni Association presented awards recognising outstanding student contributions:

• B.Tech Community Builder Award – presented to Shreya Pagadakula for her remarkable contribution to building a vibrant and cohesive student community through clubs, the college fest and social outreach initiatives.
• M.Tech Innovator Award – presented to Gnaneshwaran A S for his exemplary research, publications and scientific excellence.

🪪 Unveiling of the New IIST Alumni ID Card Design

The new Alumni ID card design was unveiled, marking another step towards strengthening the identity and connection of the growing IIST alumni community.

🏛️ Inauguration of the IISTAA Office

A major highlight was the inauguration of the newly constructed IIST Alumni Association Office by the Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor, providing a dedicated space for strengthening alumni engagement and activities.

🔥 11th Edition of Ignite

The afternoon featured the 11th edition of Ignite, with insightful talks by Raghava K, Founder & CEO of Sanyark Space; Dr. Elizabeth George, Co-founder of XARK Technologies; and Aswin Jacob Thomas, Associate Vice President at InspeCity.

The speakers shared their experiences of entrepreneurship, startups and the emerging space-tech ecosystem, offering valuable lessons and inspiration to students on the skills and perspectives needed to thrive in India's growing space sector.

🤝 Alumni–Student Engagement

Parallel interactions between alumni and student clubs opened up opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and knowledge sharing. It was particularly encouraging to witness the remarkable growth and diversity of student initiatives at IIST.

An Alumni Unconference and a specially curated orientation programme for the newly joined first-year students were also conducted during the day, creating opportunities for interaction across generations of the IIST community.

🎭 Cultural Programme

The day concluded with a vibrant cultural programme organised by the students. It was wonderful to witness the talent and enthusiasm of the current generation of IISTians while sharing the nostalgia of the Institute's journey.

The Alumni Meet reaffirmed that an institution’s relationship with its alumni does not end with graduation. It continues to evolve through mentorship, knowledge sharing, collaboration, friendship and a shared commitment to giving back.

The event was another important milestone in building a stronger, more vibrant and more connected IIST Alumni Community.

A memorable Independence Day indeed—celebrating not only our nation, but also the enduring IIST family across generations. 🇮🇳🚀