IIT Director viral Moment: At a ceremony typically defined by formality and discipline, IIT Ropar's convocation 2025 turned into a celebration of joy and youthful energy. Professor Rajeev Ahuja, the institute’s director, surprised graduates and audiences alike with his cheerful and animated participation.
Videos now circulating across Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, and X show Ahuja doing everything from the dab and Korean finger hearts to Lionel Messi’s iconic slow-mo walk. The 60-year-old academic left behind traditional stiffness to connect with the GenZ batch — and succeeded brilliantly.
Breaking Stereotypes of Formal Ceremonies:
Convocation ceremonies at IITs have traditionally been solemn, formal affairs. Students line up, walk to the stage, and accept their degrees with precision and minimal interaction.
But at IIT Ropar, 2025 was different. Students walked up to the stage brimming with excitement and chose to strike poses with their beloved director. Ahuja, dressed in a white kurta and yellow sash, met their enthusiasm with open arms and matching gestures.
Why Students Call Him ‘Pookie’ Now?
Affectionately dubbed ‘Pookie’ by the graduating batch, Ahuja’s willingness to step out of the norm made him an instant favorite. His attempts at GenZ gestures — from finger hearts to hand signs — became symbolic of his love and respect for students.
Even when he fumbled or struggled with certain poses, students cheered him on. The joyful exchange highlighted a rare warmth in the usually rigid world of academic administration.
Global Academic Legacy and Achievements:
Beyond the viral fun, Ahuja boasts a stellar academic background. A Ph.D. from IIT Roorkee in 1992, he joined Uppsala University in Sweden, later becoming a professor there in 2007.
From November 2023 to May 2024, he also held additional charge as Director of IIT Guwahati. His research work places him among the top 5 materials scientists in both India and Sweden.
Redefining Leadership in Indian Academia
Ahuja’s performance at the convocation may have been fun, but it also made a strong statement about leadership. In a field often marked by distance and hierarchy, he chose approachability and relatability.
By engaging with students on their terms, Ahuja exemplified how education can be both rigorous and human. His actions subtly but powerfully redefined what it means to lead in higher education today.
Social Media Reactions and Public Praise:
As videos continued to go viral, netizens praised Ahuja for being “the coolest director” and a “wholesome educator.” Several students from other IITs expressed envy, saying they wished their directors were as fun.
Even alumni chimed in, commenting how proud they were to see IIT traditions evolve in such a positive and joyful way. The event has since sparked conversations on how to make convocations more student-centric and celebratory.
Professor Rajeev Ahuja’s joyful, viral moment isn’t just internet gold — it’s a reminder of how human warmth and academic excellence can go hand-in-hand.