Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, on Sunday held its 58th annual convocation ceremony virtually on Sunday and the institute did not let the global pandemic dampen the celebrations.

The institute used virtual reality technology to create digital avatars of the 2,000 graduating students.

“Keeping in view the safety measures during the ongoing pandemic, the institute held its convocation in virtual reality mode for its graduating students,” the IIT Bombay said in a statement.

“A personalised avatar of each graduate received the degree certificate from the personalised avatar of director professor Subhasis Chaudhari. The medallists also received their medals from the personalised avatar of the chief guest,” the institute said.

Ever since the event was broadcast, internet has gone crazy to see the best use of technology so far. The event caught attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He took to Twitter and wrote, Wonderful mix of tradition and technology! An interesting convocation at @iitbombay. Great effort. Congrats to the Class of 2020! I fondly recall my visit to this brilliant institution for the convocation in August 2018.”

This is what the netizens said:

A team of around 20 people worked for two months to put together the virtual avatars of graduating students getting their medals and degrees, procession and the ceremony.