With Rajeev Suri being named the new chief executive of Finnish telecommunication gear maker Nokia, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University has more reason to celebrate.
A 1989 batch Electronics and Communications graduate of MIT, Rajeev was tipped to take over as the CEO almost a month ago when Nokia was finalizing sale of its mobile business to Microsoft. Now that the deal is sealed and Rajeev named CEO there was rejoicing on the University campus, MIT in particular, as the word went viral on Tuesday morning, April 29, 2014. With students preparing for their upcoming exams next month, this was, indeed, the most glorious piece of news after Satya Nadella’s elevation as head of Microsoft on February 4, 2014.

Satya is just a year senior to Suri at MIT. Both graduated in Electronics and Communication. Both went through the same grind and walked through the same corridors. Today, both are heading top companies of the world clearly indicating that Manipal Institute of Technology is as good an engineering institute as any in the world.

“Satya and Suri provide strong testimony to the fact that at MIT the emphasis is on holistic development of students. Students who leave the portals of this engineering institute are quality products. Therefore, it is no coincidence or accident that these two MITians have made it big,” said the director of MIT, Dr Vinod V Thomas.

An overjoyed director quipped; “Two of the Top Fourtune 500 companies being led by MIT alumni is indeed a noteworthy achievement. These are not merely fortuitous events but the result of the multicultural ambience and professional outlook provided by MIT, Manipal for the holistic development of its students.  MIT congratulates Suri on his achievement and wishes him success in his new endeavor.

 Simantika Mohapatra, a sixth semester student of E&C said, “This is time for celebration which MIT and India witnessed. In three months, we see two CEOs of leading companies. And I can say, year 2014 will, perhaps, be the most rewarding year with two MITians reaching the zeniths of their career. He has set a goal for all of us at MIT”.

Shashank Sarbada, an eighth semester students of Mechanical Engineering said; “It is a matter of great pride for us at MIT that yet another alumnus has taken charge as CEO of a technology giant. I find it most motivating to know that the former students of MIT are blazing such glorious trails. It reaffirms our faith in this institution. It will make us strive to match, if not surpass, the footprints of our seniors”.

Nokia Chief Thankful to Alma Mater
The new chief of Nokia, Mr Rajeev Suri, while acknowledging a felicitation message from the Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Ramdas M Pai, said he took full advantage of the education and the all-round experience he gained at Manipal University in his rise to the top. Read on:
Dear Dr Ramdas Pai,
I want to thank you for celebrating my appointment with such enthusiasm. I also wish to thank you for all your kind words and the wonderful messages of support from all of you at Manipal. You and my fabulous teachers and professors have been very kind.
 
When I think of my time at Manipal, I recall a lot of happiness. The education was terrific, the learning was holistic and the infrastructure was excellent. My professors were very supportive, encouraging and superb at their skills.  Like many students, I took full advantage of my education and the all-round experience that Manipal provided. I also ensured that I built remarkable and life-long friendships and I had great camaraderie with many wonderful people. I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic environment, and learning was to be found everywhere in this beautiful University town.
 
I would like to thank Manipal for its enormous, positive contribution to me.  It is not a stretch to say that because of Manipal, I am what I am today.  You will forever have my gratitude.
 
Please extend my best wishes to the entire Manipal community.  I am sure that the University will continue to go from strength to strength. I also wish all the students all the best in the upcoming exams.
 
Warm regards,
 
Rajeev Suri
May 2, 2014

 
Manipal is an “incredible force”
 
Rajeev Suri’s rise to the top of Nokia hierarchy is clearly because of the strong foundation he acquired at Manipal. He acknowledges that, and is grateful to the University, which, in his words is an “incredible force”. Here’s what he wrote to the Director Manipal Institute of Technology, Dr V Vinod Thomas.
 
Dear Dr Vinod Thomas,
 
Thank you very much for taking the trouble to write to me. I am very grateful indeed for your kind words. I warmly accept and appreciate your good wishes.  I was simply lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
I found Manipal to be an incredible force and I absolutely enjoyed my four years there.
Learning was to be found everywhere in this beautiful University town.
I am happy that since then, stellar growth and progress has been made in Manipal.
I would love to visit my college, and the University campus. I will certainly find time in my schedule to do so.
I wish you and the college all the best and I have no doubt that Manipal University will generate many more success stories and continue to go from strength to strength.
I believe your best is yet to come.
I would like to wish all the students the very best for their forthcoming exams.

Warm, personal regards,
Rajeev
May 4, 2014