Bengaluru, 21st November 2022: Day two of Manipal Academy of Higher Education’s (MAHE) 30th Convocation Day on 19 November drew several high-profile guests to witness the next batch of graduates being conferred degrees and awarded for their academic excellence. Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri, was the chief guest and delivered a passionate convocation address inviting students to strengthen the country and aid in its self-reliance.
Speaking to the graduating students, Dr Satheesh urged them to devote their abilities to developing the nation and achieving global harmony and the country’s big goals. He later spoke of future defence technologies that will be conceived, designed, developed, tested, and manufactured completely in India. Dr Satheesh brought up the current state of defence start-ups in India and the government’s various measures like the Technology Development Fund (TDF) and the ‘Dare to Dream’ programmes to get young people to work on defence applications. He concluded by emphasising the need for innovation and calling for academic institutes to become the hubs for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship while exchanging knowledge to push research. “Innovation is taking place in all aspects of our life. Artificial Intelligence and Industry 4.0 are making inroads into technology. Utilising these changes to improve our lives must be our goal. I firmly believe that the youth of our country will surely innovate, making our country strong,” said Dr Satheesh.
Among the university delegates were Pro-Chancellor Dr H.S. Ballal, Dr Ranjan R Pai, President, MAHE Trust, Chairman-Manipal Education & Medical Group (MEMG), Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice-Chancellor, Dr Venkatraya Prabhu, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr Pragna Rao, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Registrar and Dr Vinod V Thomas, Registrar, Evaluation.
Day two saw the following gold medal winners being facilitated: Vetsa Vaishnavi (Manipal Institute of Management), Jenilda Jasmin Mathias (Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Archana Sivaprakash (Manipal School of Architecture and Planning), Jossil Jostna Joseph Nazareth (Prasanna School of Public Health), and Rupsa Taraphder (Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore).
Dr HS Ballal, pro-chancellor of MAHE, said, “MAHE’s foundation is its students. We’ve always been amazed by their strong characters, diligence, and unshakable spirit. The outgoing batches of 2022 embody all these aspects. We see promise in their abilities—as future doctors, leaders, spokespersons, innovators, and more to plug talent gaps and contribute to society. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve done and where they’ll be going, and we look forward to seeing their inevitable success.”
Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh, vice chancellor, MAHE, said, “The world is transforming and opening new opportunities at every turn. Our students will enter a highly dynamic environment qualified with the skills, knowledge, and belief that they can choose among several paths and succeed, thanks to being exposed to multidisciplinary academics and their own enterprise. MAHE wishes each of them the best and hopes to welcome them back as future leaders someday.”
Dr Unnikrishnan B, Dean, KMC-Mangaluru concluded the ceremony with a vote of thanks, acknowledging dignitaries, parents, college faculties, students, press & media representatives and everyone else gathered at KMC Greens.
