'I' in India should Stand for Innovation, says Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar at NIIT University's 7th Convocation Ceremony

Established with a vision to bring about innovation in higher education and learning in emerging areas of the knowledge society, the not-for-profit NIIT University (NU) hosted its 7th Convocation Ceremony at the Neemrana campus. Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, an eminent Indian scientist and former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Dr Mashelkar is also one of the Founding Professors of NIIT University. Mr. Rajendra S Pawar, Founder, NU and Chairman, NIIT Ltd.; Mr. Vijay Thadani, Co-founder, NU and Vice Chairman and MD, NIIT Ltd. and Prof. VS Rao, President, NIIT University were also present on the occasion.

At the 7th convocation ceremony, more than 300 students were awarded degree certificates for successful completion of various programmes at NU. While 213 students received B. Tech degree, M. Tech was awarded to 13 students. 62 students received MBA (Finance & Banking) and 45 students received degree in PG Diploma (Banking & Relationship Management). University also granted its first PhD in Educational Technology.

NU will also be offering courses for students having Science and Commerce background, including- BBA (Marketing and Marketing Analytics, Family Business and Entrepreneurship, Finance, Banking and Fintech, Business Analytics, Communication and Media Studies and Digital and Social Media Marketing) and four year Integrated BBA - MBA programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)said, "India has come a long way from being a third world country to a time where we will soon be world's third largest economy. Indian innovation or 'Indovation' is the key to providing excellence at affordable cost and I congratulate NIIT University on promoting the spirit of 'Indovation'. I heartily congratulate all the students and wish them a very successful career ahead."

Mr. Rajendra S Pawar, Founder, NU and Chairman, NIIT Ltd., said, "NU is continuing its experiments in education and pedagogy. I heartily congratulate the students on their success. I am confident that the education that they have received here will guide them through their lives."

Prof. V. S. Rao, President, NIIT University, said, "This is indeed a proud moment for us. I congratulate our team for working with conviction and commitment to shape these young minds. We at NU believe in offering holistic education to groom youth to take up challenges of a fast-evolving knowledge economy. These young men and women I hope will play critical role in giving us a better tomorrow."

On the graduation, all male graduating students of the university were wearing bright maroon jacket on a silk kurta pyjama, while graduating women wore a maroon Sari. When asked this question on why we don't use common graduation gown and a graduation hat. Dr Sunil Khanna, Dean (Research) opined that choosing traditional wear in the place of the colonial culture of graduation gown and hats was a symbolic gesture of leaving the old behind and moving on. It is also in keeping with the values of TALF - The Asian Lenses Forum initiative by NU, wherein we are now looking at the world through a different lens of Asian heritage and culture.

The university campus was brightly decorated by student and staff for the Convocation Ceremony. Graduating students also left messages for junior students on the 'Memory Wall' created for this occasion. Graduating students, their parents and other eminent guests from the field of education were also present on the occasion.

Conceptualized as an institution of excellence, NU provides exceptional education based on the Four Core Principles that make learning Industry-linked, Technology-based, Research-driven and Seamless. NU, is well poised for meeting the emerging needs of the knowledge economy through its focus on building strong industry linkages and a research-oriented approach.

Over the years, NU has been building extensive linkages with the industry - it has active collaboration with leading organizations like: Microsoft Research, IBM, WNS and PwC. NU now brings futuristic programs from NIIT to design a B. Tech CSE program that is aligned to what the IT industry today needs. With a legacy of training over 35 million people in IT and other career focused programs since 1981, NIIT is now working towards creating a trained talent pool for the digital economy.