~ Padma Bhushan Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest ~
Mumbai - Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU) held its first ever convocation ceremony on 31st October at their campus in Vidyavihar, Mumbai. A total of 1324 students graduated in various undergraduate and postgraduate programs, such as management studies, engineering and technology, education, science, commerce & business studies, humanities & social science, and dharma studies.
The Chief Guest of the event was Padma Bhushan Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder & President of Infosys Science Foundation. He is recognised as a global business and technology thought leader, and was voted the top CEO (IT services category) in the Institutional Investor's inaugural ranking of Asia's Top Executives.
The event kicked off with a procession around the campus of SVU where the students were led by the faculty towards the ceremony; followed by a welcome speech by Professor Nandkumar Gilke, Registrar, SVU.
Sharing his experience and a few words of wisdom to the graduating students, Padma Bhushan Shri Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder & President of Infosys Science Foundation, said, “This is a momentous occasion for the graduates and their families, and also for the university as this is their first ever convocation. To all students, it is now time to take up your next innings in life, and I congratulate you all for coming this far. I compliment the vision of the founder – Padma Bhushan Shri Karamshi Jethabhai Somaiya, in laying the real foundations for the university, all the way back in 1959, and also the current chancellor of SVU, Shri Samir Somaiya for continuing the tradition of providing quality education.”.
Delivering the convocation address, Shri Samir Somaiya, Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, said, “We all have dreams regarding what we want to pursue and what we want to become. Speaking of dreams, The Somaiya Education Society can be thought of as a child, which was born in 1942 when K.J Somaiya opened a school in rural Maharashtra. Jumping to 2022, the same child has now grown up and become a full-fledged university. With immense pride, I can say that you are the first-ever graduating batch of this university. I thank you all for being a part of this dream. Now, as alumni of this university, you have certain responsibilities. Moving forward, you should yearn to earn. Earn with 100 hands and give back with a 1000; our philosophy rests in the concept of giving back. As you graduate, I want you all to reinvent, evolve and never stop growing.”.
Proud of where SVU stands today, Professor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice-Chancellor, SVU, said, “Today is a very significant day in the journey of Somaiya Vidyavihar. This is the first time that students will be conferred degrees under the banner of ‘Somaiya Vidyavihar University’ and I couldn’t be prouder. The transition was a long one, but it was all worth it for this day. During these three years of transition, when Somaiya Vidyavihar got university status, we faced some disruptive changes, fostered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Although, each and every institution of our university rose up to the occasion embraced technology to tackle all challenges thrown towards us. Along with the students, I congratulate all the teachers for their dedicated efforts in helping the students to achieve their educational goals and also the parents of the students for their constant support.”
With over six decades of experience in the field of education and a sprawling campus of 50 acres located in the heart of Mumbai city, SVU is where amenities meet intelligence. Young minds are nurtured to create, re-imagine, and innovate a better tomorrow. Home to 39,000+ dreams in diverse fields of education, this university not only offers a plethora of multi-disciplinary learning opportunities, but also three, safe and well-appointed on-campus hostels for both girls and boys.