A wave of happiness gripped the university town of Manipal as Microsoft broke the news of Satya Nadella being named the company’s next chief. Mr. Nadella had graduated with a B.E. degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering in first class with distinction from Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), a constituent of Manipal University, in 1988.
Harishchandra Hebbar, Officiating Director of School of Information Science (SOIS), Manipal University, who taught Digital Engineering subject to Mr. Nadella in his fourth semester, told The Hindu that Mr. Nadella was a brilliant and a curious student.
“He always wanted to know how things worked and how they did not. He used to think differently from other students and beyond what was given in the text books. He was communicative and soft spoken. He also used to take part in extra-curricular activities and was a team member,” he said.
On Mr. Nadella becoming the CEO, Prof. Hebbar said the Manipal University and MIT were happy at one of their students attaining such a high position. “We are overwhelmed by his achievement. But we teachers cannot claim any credit for it. He has come up because of his hard work,” he said.
After completing his B.E. here at MIT, Mr. Nadella went to the U.S. and completed his master’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.
Vinod V. Thomas, Director of MIT, said the institute was delighted to hear the news of Mr. Nadella being elevated as the CEO of Microsoft Corporation, to lead a USD 80 billion company with over 1,00,000 employees. He recalled Mr. Nadela as a sincere, quiet student in his college days. “I am confident that Mr. Nadella’s achievement will motivate present students for setting higher goals in their professional career. Faculty, staff, students and alumni of our Institute join him on this joyous occasion and wish him all success,” Prof. Thomas said.
“Over the last three months, when his name was shortlisted for the job, we have been hoping and praying that Mr. Nadella would get the job. Today is a red letter day in the history of Manipal University,” Chancellor of the University, Ramdas M. Pai has said.
