At the heart of India’s premier engineering institute, IIT Bombay, lies a tradition of connecting the past and future through its flagship alumni fest, Alumination. Hosted by the Student Alumni Relations Cell (SARC), Alumination 2024 embraced its theme, Noren of Nostalgia, weaving together traditional values with modern insights. This one-day event, held on October 27th,2024, brought alumni, students, and faculty together for a day of learning, mentoring, and celebration of achievements.

Pre-Fest Shadow Programs

Prior to the main event, Alumination featured exclusive Shadow Programs where students visited WorldQuant and Fynd Research in Mumbai. These visits offered a first-hand look into the dynamics of the industry and inspired students to broaden their understanding of potential career paths.

Main Day Festivities

On the day of Alumination, the activities kicked off early at 10 AM, with a packed schedule offering something for everyone. Break the Ice, the first event of the day, facilitated informal discussions between students and alumni mentors as part of the Alumni Student Mentorship Program (ASMP). Here, students got a glimpse into the realities of life after college, career decisions, and the journey beyond the gates of IIT Bombay.

Workshops and Group Mentoring

Simultaneously, workshops on non-core career paths such as Quant, Finance, Product Management, and Consulting were held. These sessions, led by distinguished alumni, provided insights into transitioning from core engineering fields to other exciting avenues. Group mentoring sessions allowed for personalized, one-on-one interactions between students and alumni, enriching the experience with focused advice. To prepare students for the upcoming placement season, mock interviews and group discussions ran throughout the day. Alumni provided crucial feedback to the final-year students, helping them refine their skills and increase their confidence.

Hostalgia and Innovation Expo

True to its name, Hostalgia welcomed alumni back to their old hostels, allowing them to relive cherished memories and reconnect with their alma mater. The alumni were also taken on a guided tour of the institute, revisiting favorite spots and sharing stories of the IIT Bombay of their times. Parallelly, the Innovation Expo showcased tech team projects and alumni startups, featuring ventures by venture capitalists (VCs) and budding entrepreneurs. This interactive expo provided a platform for knowledge sharing and highlighted IIT Bombay’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Trailblazers: Learning from the Experts

The afternoon’s Trailblazers session featured two distinguished speakers: Mr. Anshul Gupta, Co-founder of EatClub, and Mr. Raj Shah, Co-founder of Percipient.ai and a founding member of Google Maps. They engaged students with stories of their entrepreneurial journeys and shared practical insights on innovation and strategic growth.

Unengineering: Embracing Unconventional Paths

In the Unengineering session, students heard from alumni who ventured into unexpected career paths. The panel included Mr. Aprajit Lohan, Superintendent of Mumbai Police, and Mr. Nandkumar Saravade, former DIG in CBI. Their stories of transitioning from engineers to prominent figures in the defense sector were both inspiring and eye-opening, reinforcing that success can be found in diverse fields.

Start it Up: Nurturing Startup Culture

Highlighting IIT Bombay’s reputation for fostering startups, Start it Up featured speakers like Mr.Aniket Deb, Co-founder of Bizongo and a Forbes 30 under 30 Asia honoree, and Mr. Aman Goel, CEO of GreyLabs AI and a TEDx speaker. Their candid discussions on building successful startups, scaling ideas, and navigating challenges resonated deeply with the audience.

Beyond the Horizons: A Grand Finale

The final event, Beyond the Horizons, celebrated alumni who pursued their passions in unconventional careers. The session began with vibrant cultural performances by students gearing up for the Inter-IIT Cultural Meet, setting a lively tone for the evening. The main highlight was a panel featuring renowned stand-up comedians Piyush Sharma and Vinay Sharma. Their sharp wit and humor kept the audience in splits, and the session drew an impressive crowd of over 1000 students, alumni, and faculty members.

A Resplendent Conclusion

Alumination 2024: Noren of Nostalgia successfully brought together over 3000 participants in a heartfelt celebration of wisdom, inspiration, and camaraderie. By reconnecting alumni with their past and guiding students towards a promising future, the event truly embodied its theme, creating a bridge between the memories of yesterday and the aspirations of tomorrow.

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