NU Holds its Tenth Convocation Ceremony Virtually using first of its kind Cutting-Edge Technology

Saturday 17th October, 2020 It is that time of the year again when some of the brightest and ambitious young minds of the nation step out into the corporate world as graduates from NIIT University. NIIT University celebrated its 10th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, 17th October 2020 at 11 AM. Mr. Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered an inspirational Convocation Address. What set this ceremony apart was that it was hosted virtually using first-of-its-kind cutting-edge technology. The graduating students received their degree virtually in their avatars created using tools of Virtual Reality. Using proximity sound technology the graduands were able to interact with their batch mates, faculty and staff just as they would do in the real world. They were conferred degrees from the virtual avatar of NU’s President, Prof Prabhu Aggarwal. Dr. Karan Singh Gold Medal and Ram Rajindra Malhotra Medal for 2020 were given by the virtual avatar of our chief guest, Mr. Nandan Nilekani. Degrees were awarded to 298 students from 5 programmes offered by the university – B.​Tech. | MBA | M.​Design | M.​Tech. | Ph.D. The ceremony was broadcasted live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Convocation Programme

• Lamp Lighting
• Saraswati Vandana
• Welcome Address by Mr. Rajendra S Pawar, Founder, NIIT University
• Convocation Ceremony
• Introduction of Chief Guest – Mr. Vijay Thadani, Co-Founder, NIIT University
• Convocation Address by Mr. Nandan Nilekani (Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys)
• Vote of Thanks by Prof Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal, President, NIIT University
• National Anthem

Graduation Messages

Dr. K Kasturirangan, Chairperson, NIIT University

Dear NUtons, let me warmly congratulate all those of you who have the proud privilege of graduating from this esteemed institution. My best wishes go with you, for your success and for achieving what you have been aspiring and dreaming. The spirit of competition and determination with which you met the challenges of the demanding ecosystem of this alma mater of yours will help you move ahead to realize your ambitions and aspirations with confidence. To have had the opportunity to study at this institution of higher learning is a matter of privilege to each one of you. I am fully aware that the challenges that the pandemic has placed on each one of you; that you successfully completed the target you had set for yourself in the beginning of the academic year speaks volumes of your courage of conviction, resolve and determination. I am also aware that the entire Management led by the redoubtable Mr Rajendra Pawar, came forward with innovative and novel approaches to deal with this challenge, so that none of you are handicapped in terms of fulfilling your commitment. May the value system that NU has instilled in you inspire you to set high standards in all your future endeavours. High and noble aspirations are indeed the guiding stars in your journey, towards, achieving perfection and realizing your true potential. In all that lies before you, may God grant you wisdom, success and true sense of fulfilment of your cherished ideals and goals. I wish you all the very best in your professional and personal life.

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

Today against all circumstances and fighting through a pandemic I see a generation of brave, fearless graduates. I wish I could have done it in person but nonetheless I heartily congratulate each one of you for your unwavering determination and all the fruits of your hard work. I hope you carry this strength and determination into your future pursuits and may luck always be in your favour. Outside is a new world waiting for you, a world full of dreams, opportunities and possibilities. It’s a world which can get overwhelming at times. Remember to stay rooted to your goals and let yourself grow and explore. Spread your wings as you embrace your passions but never fly away so high that you forget your own values. Take pride in who you are, in where you are and of what you’ve made of yourself. Take guidance from your past and learn from your mistakes. This journey will lead you through many paths and across various people. You may face many setbacks or struggles along your road. Never let that adversity win. Fight hard and smart to achieve your goals. Learn from those learned influences that might cross your paths. Always stay open to learning new things. Use your skills to provide similar guidance to those in need. The fruits of your labour will always be sweet. Stay focused, stay happy and make NU proud!

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

My dear Graduating NUtons, Heartiest Congratulations to you on this unique milestone that denotes a critical achievement in your life’s journey. The world that you will experience after graduation, perhaps represents the maximum volatility, uncertainty and complexity that humankind has experienced so far, While your contemporaries elsewhere would be nervous, I am confident you are looking forward to the prospect of traversing the journey ahead of you, of boldly exploring areas which no one has attempted before. Your companions in this journey will be the repertoire of diverse competencies that you developed as a NUton, of rich multidisciplinary learning with a strong foundation of human values; of innovative problem solving with collaborative project work; research assignments at the campus coupled with the real life experience of working in the industry on one hand and underserved communities on the other. Do remember that you have a responsibility on your shoulders. You have to help rebuild this world and make it a better place than it was before the current pandemic. Quoting Mary Kay Ash: “Don’t limit yourself to what you think you can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe in, you can achieve” And finally, cherish the moments you were on campus, cherish the relationships that you built many of which will be lifelong bonds. Keep innovating and make NU proud!

Prof Prabhu Kumar Aggarwal, President, NIIT University

My heartiest congratulations to the graduating class of 2020.0n this very special day, I take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very successful and full filling journey in the years ahead. Enjoy today, celebrate your achievements, cherish the memories … you have earned it! As you transition from College to your next phase in life, you will face many challenges, as well as also get many new opportunities; I am confident that time years at NU has well equipped you to face them both with intelligence, hard work, and empathy. I hope you will remain forever curious, never give up your quest to learn, follow your passions, be humble and embrace humanity as your religion, and always work to help the less fortunate than you. Finally, I wish that you all leave your individual marks in society and make NU proud by becoming not just the best citizens OF the world, but best FOR the world.

About The Chief Guest

Dr. Nandan Nilekani, Co-founder and Chairman of Infosys

Nandan Nilekani is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys Technologies Limited. He was the Founding Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in the rank of a Cabinet Minister from 2009-2014. Most recently, Nandan has co-founded and is the Chairman of EkStep, a not-for-profit effort to create a learner centric, technology based platform to improve basic literacy and numeracy for millions of children. Born in Bengaluru, Nilekani received his Bachelor’s degree from IIT, Bombay. Fortune Magazine conferred him with “Asia’s Businessman of the year 2003”. In 2005 he received the prestigious Joseph Schum peter prize for innovative services in economy, economic sciences and politics. In 2006, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan. He was also named Businessman of the year by Forbes Asia. Time magazine listed him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2006 & 2009. Foreign Policy magazine listed him as one of the Top 100 Global thinkers in 2010. He won The Economist Social & Economic Innovation Award for his leadership of India’s Unique Identification initiative (Aadhaar). In 2017, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from E &Y. CNBC- TV 18 conferred India Business leader award for outstanding contributor to the Indian Economy-2017 and he also received the 22nd Nikkei Asia Prize for Economic & Business Innovation 2017.He has been inducted as International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2019.

Nandan Nilekani is the author of “Imagining India” and co- authored his second book with Viral Shah, “Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations”.