NIIT University holds its 14th Convocation Ceremony

NIIT University (NU) held the 14th Convocation ceremony on Saturday, 19 October 2024. The ceremony commenced at 11:00 am in the university auditorium. Ms Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the Convocation Address.

Ms Ghosh’s Convocation Address is available here.

Programme

• Lamp Lighting
• Saraswati Vandana
• Welcome Address: Mr. Rajendra S Pawar, Founder, NIIT University
• Convocation Ceremony
• Introduction of Chief Guest: Mr. Vijay Thadani, Co-Founder, NIIT University
• Convocation Address: Ms. Debjani Ghosh, President NASSCOM
• Vote of Thanks: Prof. Prakash Gopalan, President, NIIT University
• National Anthem
• Lunch

About Our Chief Guest, Ms Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM

Debjani Ghosh is the President of the NASSCOM since April 2018. A veteran of the technology industry, she is the first women at the helm of the organization’s three-decade history. Ms. Ghosh firmly believes in the power of technology to enhance lives and livelihoods, leveraging it for societal good. She is a vocal advocate for the opportunities presented by emerging technologies, such as Al, and their role in accelerating India’s growth potential to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Under her leadership, NASSCOM has actively promoted the need to accelerate the responsible development and adoption of Al across various sectors for inclusive growth and development.

Debjani strongly believes technology will have the most impact on humankind when it’s used as an enabler of inclusive growth and that India must lead in the digital era with focus on the responsible build and use of tech as an accelerator and equalizer. In addition to amplifying India’s voice on Al, Debjani has been instrumental in developing ‘Think Digital, Think India’ strategy aimed at establishing India as a hub for digital talent and innovation. In 2020, under her leadership NASSCOM coined the term “Techade” to define a decade where technology will transform from being merely an enabler of business to becoming the foundation of how we live, work, and play. She is confident that the techade will see India emerge as the inevitable partner to the world, for innovation and digital transformation, fuelled by our digital talent and tech prowess.

Debjani Ghosh is a vocal advocate for gender diversity in the technology sector. She passionately champions the cause of increasing women’s participation in STEM fields and works tirelessly to break down barriers hindering their progress. In January 2018, Debjani was felicitated by the President of India under the auspices of the ‘First Ladies’ program, which honors exceptional women pioneers in their respective fields. In 2020, she has been honored by Vogue as the Tech Leader of the year 2020. Recognizing her contribution in the field of technology, Debjani was also felicitated in ‘40 over 40 – World’s Most Inspiring Women list by FemaleOneZero (F10) Magazine in 2022.

With multiple feathers in her cap, before joining NASSCOM, she was the first woman to lead Intel India and the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), she was also a member of the executive council at NASSCOM. She believes that learning never stops, and a trainable mindset is the biggest strength one can have.

Debjani holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, and an MBA degree in marketing from S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research in Mumbai, India.

Messages

Dr. K Kasturirangan, Chairperson, NIIT University

With great delight, I wish to congratulate the class of 2024, on their graduation! Your hard work has paid off. Graduation marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in your life. My earnest desire for you is to embrace this transition, with full heart and soul. I am filled with heart-warming pride to see your remarkable journey at NU and would wish for you to continue to grow and soar. Graduation is the just the start to a life full of wonderful adventures. Keep aiming for the stars.

Mr. Rajendra S Pawar, Chairman & Co-Founder, NIIT Group and Founder, NIIT University

Dear NUtons,
This moment, when you stand at the threshold of embarking on this new chapter of life, I want to remind you that your graduation day is a time to reflect on your foundation, growth, and transformation at NU. This graduating batch of 2024 has witnessed the COVID and post-COVID times during your undergraduate years. During these unprecedented challenges, you have shown resilience and adaptability throughout your academic journey. You have learnt well from the adversity of these precarious times and have been able to use that successfully in your academic life at NU. I would want to remind you to take great pride in your journey. Remember and cherish the moments of self-discovery and personal growth. Take the lessons you’ve learned with you as you move forward.

Graduation day is not only to celebrate the academic excellence one has achieved, but also a day to understand and applaud one’s tireless commitment to the pursuit of excellence in every other arena. Throughout your journey at NU, you all have been involved and greatly invested in becoming more confident, compassionate, and enterprising versions of yourselves. You have evolved into well-rounded individuals, whose potential for greatness knows no bounds. So, congratulations for this amazing feat. After years of perseverance and diligent work, the day has finally come for you to stand together for that very precious class picture. As we stand here to wish you all the luck for your bright future, I feel confident that you are well-prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

You, my dear NUtons, have what it takes to make a credible mark in the world and the world is eagerly awaiting your talent and contributions. We are equally excited to see your dreams turn into reality, and your future accomplishments that shall keep the NU flag flying high.
Wishing you all the best of times, good health, laughter, and laurels.

Mr. Vijay Thadani, Co-Founder, NIIT University, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, NIIT Limited

My dear Graduating NUtons,

It is with immense pride and joy that I extend my heartiest congratulations to each one of you on your reaching this significant milestone in your life. Graduation day is a celebration of your academic and professional achievements and a testament of your perseverance and personal growth.

I am particularly proud of your cohort, that has shown great resilience, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of knowledge in the face of some of the most challenging times that humanity has witnessed. You faced each challenge head-on, overcame multiple obstacles and demonstrated remarkable tenacity in your time here at NIIT University. The knowledge and skills that you have acquired in your years here and the friendships and everlasting bonds that you have formed here, will serve as a solid foundation for your future endeavours.

The world that you are stepping out into is dynamic and ever evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges. I encourage you to seize the opportunities with full vigour and treat each challenge as a stepping stone to your becoming a stronger individual. Your unique perspectives and your rich experience at NU, combined with your strong work ethic and determination will undoubtedly create much needed positive impact on the world.

As you embark on this new phase of your lives, your companions will be the spirit of curiosity and the commitment to lifelong learning coupled with the strong values of unwavering integrity and empathy for all that were instilled in you during your time at NU. These will guide you as you navigate the complexities of
the world and strive to make a difference. 

I am confident you will achieve great things in life. We at NU look forward to applaud the loudest for all your personal and professional achievements!

Wishing you the very best!

Prof. Prakash Gopalan, President, NIIT University

First, and foremost, let me congratulate this class of 2024, on a significant achievement! Graduation is the culmination of your dedication, determination, and countless hours of hard work. As you stand on the threshold of the future, keep in mind that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

Your educational journey at NU has shaped you in remarkable ways, and we are proud to have been a part of it. Remember that success is not measured solely by accomplishments but also by the character you exhibit along the way. So, stay true to your values, continue learning, and always believe in yourself.

Before you commence the next very important phase of your life, I would want to leave you with some pearls of wisdom. On this momentous day, as you are set to enter the professional arena, and it would be very easy to get enveloped in the noise of material success and gains, I would want you to remember the importance of empathy and kindness The great Greek poet, Homer, once said “Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow for other’s good, and melt at other’s woe”.

To be kind and to be empathetic is the only way to keep our hearts open to new and varied experiences and for us all to be truly accepting of others. And that, truly, is the best way to live.

With that powerful thought, I would like to once again, congratulate the graduating NUtons, on this very happy day. I hope you remember that success is a journey of constant learning and adaptation and in this journey, I wish that you are surrounded by positive and supportive people, wonderful moments of awe, joy, and happiness galore. The world is full of opportunities waiting for you to seize, and I can’t wait to see the amazing places your journey will take you.

Best of luck for all your future endeavours.