The event was followed by induction sessions introducing freshers to the institution’s key learning, research and assessment processes, as well as opportunities in hackathons, internships, mentoring, entrepreneurship and innovation. The ‘Know Your Campus’ programme helped students break the ice as they interacted with faculty and peers and became familiar with the academic and co-curricular ecosystem.

Visits to 12 departments gave the freshers an opportunity to interact with senior academics, industry professionals and public figures as they began their academic journey. The orientation also showcased the institution’s emphasis on experiential learning, research exposure, emerging technologies and industry engagement.

Dr. R. Dhinakaran, IPS, Additional Director General, Tamil Nadu Armed Police, urged students to dream big, believe in themselves and recognise their true potential. Quoting Tamil philosopher Thiruvalluvar, he emphasised the importance of aiming high rather than settling for readily achievable goals.

He highlighted self-confidence, discipline and continuous learning as essential qualities for success. Students, he said, should choose their friends carefully, understand rather than merely memorise what they learn, and combine hard work with smart work. In a rapidly changing world, they must continuously update their knowledge and skills.

Addressing parents, Dr. Dhinakaran urged them to guide rather than overprotect their children, giving them the freedom to learn from experience, make mistakes and develop confidence. He encouraged students to make full use of the opportunities and guidance available to them.

Prof. Dr. S. R. R. Senthilkumar, Principal, Sona College of Technology, said the institution’s 30-year journey had established a strong foundation in engineering education, with a distinctive emphasis on providing research exposure to undergraduate students. Sona today has 36 research and centres of excellence, supporting advanced work across science, engineering and technology. The institution has also contributed to high-profile national technology initiatives, including projects associated with ISRO’s space missions.

Chocko Valliappa, Vice-Chairman, Sona Institutions, told the freshers that the four years ahead would shape the people they would become at graduation. He exhorted them to embrace emerging technologies and recognise the opportunities they offer.

As the world changes rapidly, he said, young people must become problem-solvers, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of addressing new challenges. He highlighted opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation through Sona’s incubation initiatives and stressed that while circumstances can change overnight, education remains an enduring foundation that cannot be taken away.

Anant Jalonha, General Manager, Canara Bank, urged freshers to “Dream, Build and Rise,” emphasising that their education will help shape the nation’s future. Drawing on Canara Bank’s 120-year legacy of promoting education, he encouraged students to pursue their aspirations, build knowledge and honour their commitments.

C. Valliappa, Chairman, Sona Institutions, spoke about the institution’s nearly seven-decade educational legacy of training more than one lakh engineering graduates and skilled diploma holders. He urged students to take pride in the achievements of the faculty, who continually update their skills in emerging technologies through platforms such as NPTEL. He said the institution’s achievements should give students confidence that they were joining an institution with strong academic foundations.

He encouraged students to take their education seriously, value time, maintain discipline, use technology responsibly and make the most of the opportunities provided by Sona College.

The institution’s emphasis on research, innovation and intellectual property has also resulted in a substantial patent portfolio, with 58 granted and the institution received over Rs 40 crore research grant from various funding agencies.

This research-oriented ecosystem provides students opportunities to engage in innovation, product development, intellectual property creation and interdisciplinary projects from the undergraduate level.

Sona’s innovation ecosystem has also translated into strong student achievements. In recent achievements, a Sona student team won ₹25 lakh in the Google Gemini Hackathon, while Team NEXUS AI emerged national champions at the Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2026, winning the Gold Cup and a ₹1 lakh cash prize. These achievements reflect the institution’s emphasis on enabling students to participate in national-level competitions and solve real-world problems using emerging technologies.

Thyagu Valliappa, Vice-Chairman, Sona Institutions, urged students to drive technology rather than be driven by it. Introducing ‘Tech4G’—an acronym for Go, Generate, Great and Growth—he said technology should help students go forward, generate ideas and solutions, become great at what they do and grow professionally. He highlighted opportunities emerging from robotics, automation, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies across IT, electronics and several other industries.