The new Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is a 1988 batch student from Electronics and Communications department of Manipal Institute Technology (MIT).
Though there is another MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the US, people of Manipal are now proud that their MIT contributed a CEO to the US-based Microsoft. MIT, which is a part of Manipal University now, was under Mangalore University in 1988.
Narasimha Bhat, an alumnus of the institute, said: “Satya is making the whole world know that an institute called MIT exists in Manipal.
“Although the world knows about the institute, Satya’s appointment as the CEO brings it more into the world focus. He holds high the beacon of Manipal, and the vision of the founder, Dr TMA Pai.”
Rohith Bhat, CEO of the Udupi-based Robosoft Technologies, told Business Line that it is a great pleasure to have someone who studied at MIT heading Microsoft now.
“It brings recognition to this part of the country, and helps introduce our company to western audience in a much more pleasant manner,” he said. (Manipal is located in Udupi district of Karnataka)
Director of MIT Vinod V Thomas, who was his teacher, said: “It is a great moment which makes every MITians proud. We are extremely delighted to hear the news that our distinguished alumnus Satya Nadella is elevated as CEO of Microsoft Corporation to lead an $80-billion company with over one lakh employees.”
Thomas recollected that Satya as a sincere, quiet student in his college days who earned his degree in first class with distinction. He is confident that Satya’s achievement will motivate present students for setting higher goals in their professional career.
The Chancellor of Manipal University Ramdas M Pai said: “This is the biggest event for Manipal University. Over the last three months, when his name was short-listed for the job, we have been hoping and praying that Satya would get the job. Today is a red letter day in the history of Manipal University.”
Director of School of Information Sciences Manipal, Harishchandra Hebbar, who taught digital electronics to Satya, said: “As a student he had a keen eye for details. He would always want to know the how and why of everything that was being taught in the class. He never would take the next step without fully knowing the step he has already taken.”