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IIT Madras Director Disguises Himself as Freshman; IIT Bombay Director Speaks at TechEDU Summit; IIT Indore Announces Innovation-Focused Strategy
Kamakoti participated in a freshman orientation incognito, a video of which went viral.
IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti participated in a freshman orientation incognito, a video of which went viral. The same week, IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare delivered a keynote at the Economic Times TechEDU India Summit, while IIT Indore Director Suhas S. Joshi outlined a new ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The incident at IIT Madras involved Director Prof. V. Kamakoti attending the institute’s freshman orientation disguised as a first-year student and revealing his identity during the event. The prank was captured on video, posted online, and quickly spread across social media platforms. The video was reported by Moneycontrol on August 5, 2026, confirming the director’s participation and the viral response [1].
The orientation took place at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai during the annual intake of new students. The exact date of the prank was not specified in the source, but the coverage appeared in early August 2026, indicating the event occurred shortly before publication [1]. In a separate event, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, addressed the Economic Times TechEDU India Summit on February 26, 2026, at the NESCO convention centre in Mumbai [2]. On June 15, 2026, IIT Indore Director Prof. Suhas S. Joshi described the institute’s plan to build an ecosystem that nurtures innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning [4].
Prof. V. Kamakoti is the current Director of IIT Madras, a position he has held since 2022 [1]. Prof. Shireesh Kedare serves as Director of IIT Bombay, appointed in 2024 [2]. Prof. Suhas S. Joshi leads IIT Indore, having taken the helm in 2023 [4]. The prank was organized by the orientation committee, which invited the director to join the freshman cohort without disclosing his identity. The video shows Kamakoti sitting among new students, answering typical orientation questions, and later standing to announce his role [1]. Kedare’s keynote was part of a broader summit focusing on technology education, where he discussed industry-academia collaboration and skill development for the Indian workforce [2]. Joshi’s presentation outlined strategic investments in interdisciplinary research labs, startup incubation, and curriculum reforms aimed at fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among students [4].
Director’s Prank at IIT Madras
The orientation prank was filmed by students using mobile devices and later edited for clarity. The final clip, posted on YouTube and shared on social media, accumulated over 200,000 views within 48 hours of upload [1]. In the video, Kamakoti wears a typical freshman backpack and casual attire, blending with the cohort. Midway through the session, he removed the disguise, introduced himself, and explained the purpose of the exercise as “building rapport and breaking hierarchical barriers” [1].
IIT Madras administration confirmed the event as a planned activity intended to enhance student-faculty interaction. An official statement released on the institute’s website described the prank as “a light-hearted initiative that underscores the director’s commitment to student welfare” [1]. No disciplinary action or policy change was reported as a result of the incident.
Director’s Prank at IIT Madras The orientation prank was filmed by students using mobile devices and later edited for clarity.
IIT Bombay Director’s Keynote at TechEDU India Summit
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Read More →The Economic Times TechEDU India Summit 2026 convened educators, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss the future of technology education in India. Prof. Shireesh Kedare delivered a 30-minute address titled “Bridging the Skills Gap through Collaborative Innovation.” In his speech, Kedare highlighted IIT Bombay’s recent launch of a “Future Skills Lab” and partnerships with leading tech firms to provide hands-on training for students [2].
The summit was hosted at the NESCO exhibition centre in Mumbai, attracting over 3,000 participants from academia and industry. Kedare’s remarks were recorded and published on the Economic Times website, where they were accessed by more than 150,000 readers within the first week [2]. The event concluded with a panel discussion in which Kedare advocated for increased funding for interdisciplinary research and greater mobility for students across IIT campuses.
IIT Indore Announces Innovation-Focused Ecosystem
During an exclusive interview with APAC News Network on June 15, 2026, Prof. Suhas S. Joshi outlined IIT Indore’s strategic roadmap. The institute plans to establish a “Technology Innovation Hub” that will integrate research laboratories, a startup incubator, and a mentorship program linking alumni entrepreneurs with current students [4].
Key components of the roadmap include:
- Expansion of interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biomedical engineering.
- Creation of a “Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre” offering certificate courses on venture creation and product management.
- Partnerships with industry partners such as Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys to provide internship pipelines and joint research grants.
Joshi emphasized that the ecosystem aims to “produce graduates who are not only technically proficient but also capable of leading innovative ventures.” The announcement was accompanied by a press release stating that the institute will allocate INR 500 crore over the next three years to fund the new facilities [4].
Creation of a “Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre” offering certificate courses on venture creation and product management.
Impact on Students, Educators, and Institutions
The viral prank at IIT Madras may influence how senior administrators engage with student communities, demonstrating a willingness to adopt informal interaction methods. Current students at IIT Madras reported heightened morale following the video, citing a sense of approachability among leadership [1].
Kedare’s keynote at the TechEDU Summit reinforces the emphasis on industry-aligned curricula across the IIT system. Faculty at IIT Bombay are expected to incorporate the “Future Skills Lab” modules into existing courses, potentially affecting the academic schedule for the 2026-27 academic year [2].
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Key Facts
What: IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti attended freshman orientation incognito; IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare spoke at the TechEDU Summit; IIT Indore Director Suhas S. Joshi outlined a new innovation ecosystem.
Impact: Students see leadership in informal settings, curricula may align more closely with industry needs, and IIT Indore will expand resources for innovation and entrepreneurship.
When: Prank video released early August 2026; keynote delivered February 26, 2026; ecosystem announcement June 15, 2026.
Impact: Students see leadership in informal settings, curricula may align more closely with industry needs, and IIT Indore will expand resources for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Sources
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Read More →- "It was a Prank…" IIT Madras director, Prof. V … – Moneycontrol – https://www.moneycontrol.com/education/it-was-all-a-prank-iit-madras-director-v-kamakoti-disguises-himself-as-a-fresher-to-surprise-students-video-goes-viral-article-13984437.html
- Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay’s Post – LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/posts/indian-institute-of-technology-bombay_prof-shireesh-kedare-director-of-iit-bombay-activity-7436682033357283328-7z29?rcm=ACoAABRNCRkBLoquQ_IfQmNbcaOlcsxWtcHoKN8
- ‘IIT Indore Aims to Create an Ecosystem that Nurtures Innovation … – https://apacnewsnetwork.com/2026/06/iit-indore-aims-to-create-an-ecosystem-that-nurtures-innovation-leadership-entrepreneurship-and-lifelong-learning-prof-suhas-s-joshi-director-iit-indore/
