Manipal, November 12: The Manipal University convocation held at KMC Greens on Saturday was the largest-ever for the number of students who received the post and under graduate degrees. Over 2400 of them from the campuses of Manipal, Bangalore and Mangalore were present to receive their certificates. In addition, 34 PhD scholars received their doctorates and 14 meritorious students were awarded the Dr TMA Pai gold medals. Chancellor, Dr Ramdas M Pai declared the convocation open.
Chief guest, Dr Anil Kakodkar, DAE Homi Bhabha chair, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai in his convocation address said: “Manipal University is among a select few institutions that have very successfully pioneered a model of quality higher education independent of the government”.
In his wide-ranging speech, Dr Kakodkar had a word of advice not only for the outgoing students, but had something for the faculty and the universities in the country. He also spoke about research and said it was absolutely important for a university as it added to the quality of education.
“All of you have gone through your respective courses of studies and have been adjudged to be worthy of the degrees that are being awarded to you. You are now ready to face the exciting world out there. Looking at the present situation in the country, one can say that there are great opportunities as well as important challenges that await each one of you ready to embrace these opportunities and take up the challenges,” he said.
His own role in the nation building process is all too well known and he hoped every student would play a part in the development of the country. “All of you have to be an important part of the nation building process through your respective capabilities that you have acquired here,” he said. And informed them about the scope for innovation and entrepreneurship available today. “The way our country is moving forward, the opportunities for the capable ones will continuously expand”.
“We are now among the fastest growing economies in the world. In purchase parity terms we are already the fourth largest economy after USA, China and Japan. Indications are that we would soon become third. We have an unparalleled demographic dividend with the largest youth force. Indian youth have demonstrated their capabilities through their impact, here as well as in countries abroad, for example in USA”.
Speaking about the rapidly changing technology, he said that it was changing our lives faster than we would have imagined. “The world is now a highly interconnected place and the A3 (anyone, anywhere and anytime) connected society is fast taking shape. World is fast embracing knowledge driven economy”.
“We need people, in large numbers, who can guide and shape the society as it evolves through knowledge and technology driven transitions on one side and rapid mixing of cultures driven by instant communications that take place today, on the other”.
“Universities have an important role and the responsibility in this context. They must, through research and analysis present an authentic assessment of the transitions around, create innovative approaches to maximize the gains and minimize threats and prepare our youth with capability to effectively deal with the evolving situation,” he said.
Higher education institutions and more particularly the teachers in such institutions have a special role and responsibility. Higher education and research would play a key role in sustaining and enhancing the relative competitive edge of our country in the emerging knowledge driven economy of the world. This would become more important as the country moves up further on the economic ladder.
Dr TMA Pai Gold Medal Winners
Under Graduates:
Apurva Shantharaj Gowda (BE), Priya Kumari (B Pharm), Avni Bhasin (BDS), Varun Cyrus Vesuvala (BHM), Philby Babu Menachery (BSc Nursing), Nikhil Kumar (BAJC), Shahnawaz Alam (Allied Health Sciences), Baijayanti Ghosh (BSC Biotechnology), Pavithra Ananthanarayanan (BBA Jewellery Design and Management), B Srivarshini (B. Arch).
Post Graduates:
Sonika Singh (M Pharm), Akshata R Acharya (MS Communication) Mithila Harikrishna Holla (MS Information Science), Vathika Kamath (MBA, Manipal Institute of Management).
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