Manipal, November 26, 2023: Manipal Academy of Higher Education’s (MAHE) 31^st Convocation concluded on 26^th November. It marked the end of an emotional and joyous four days during which distinguished leaders and guests joined the MAHE fraternity to wish the most recent class of graduates well as they set forth to pursue fulfilling professions. The chief guest for the final day was Mr. Vinod Easwaran, MD & CEO of Jio Payments Bank, Mumbai.

Addressing the audience at the convocation, Mr. Vinod Easwaran, recalled his early career days and said, “As you stand at the threshold of a new chapter in your life, you will have numerous opportunities that will knock on your door and help you fulfill your dreams. Grab those that come your way even if you think you're not ready for it. I recollect a time when I was a young Marketing Executive in BPL Telecom, an early player in the deregulated Telecom industry, and I was faced with an opportunity to join ICICI Bank, a leading Financial Institution which at that time was primarily into Project & Industry Finance, to help them build their Retail Banking Division. Having no prior experience in building a Retail lending business coupled with my dreading Finance as a subject during my PGDM days were reasons enough for me to reconsider.  Retail banking seemed like an idea whose time had come for India and having ICICI's leadership's view on their aggressive ambition of being a market leader, I grabbed this opportunity and dived headlong. The 12 years that followed thereafter in various capacities have helped bolster my further progression in the world of Banking & Financial Services to today leading a bank.

To all the graduates present here, I challenge you to be ambassadors of positive change, to lead with integrity, and to approach challenges with the same tenacity that brought you to this moment. Congratulations, graduates. The world awaits the mark you will make, and I have full confidence that each of you will contribute to a brighter, more compassionate future”.

The convocation address was followed by the conferring of degrees and the awards ceremony. Shonika Sohael Amin (Manipal Institute of Management), Poorvika Agarwal (Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Vibha Ramachandran (Manipal Institute of Communication), Aprajita Karmakar (Prasanna School Of Public Health), and Aaryan Agarwal (Manipal Institute of Technology) were felicitated with Dr. TMA Pai Gold Medal 2023 for the Best Outgoing Student of respective institutes on the 4^th day.

Among the university delegates were Dr. H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, Lt Gen (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, Mrs. Vasanti R Pai, Trustee, MAHE Trust and Dr. P. Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE.

Speaking at the Press Conference, Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “Today, we gather here in a spirit of celebration, achievement, and, most importantly, transformation. As the Pro Chancellor of this illustrious institution, it is an honor and a privilege to stand before you on this momentous occasion — our convocation ceremony. Our world is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The challenges we face are complex, and the solutions demand innovative thinking. Each one of you has the potential to contribute to the betterment of society, to be a catalyst for positive change, and to leave an indelible mark on the canvas of humanity.

In closing, let me express my profound pride in each one of you. This institution has been your academic home, and as you leave, you carry a piece of its legacy with you. Strive for excellence, be agents of positive change, and uphold the values that define MAHE”.

Lt. Gen (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, commented, “To the graduates, let me begin by extending my heartfelt congratulations. Each one of you has demonstrated exceptional dedication, perseverance, and intellectual rigor to reach this pivotal milestone. Your journey through the halls of academia has been one of growth, exploration, and, undoubtedly, challenges overcome.

Today, we celebrate not just the completion of your academic pursuits but the commencement of a journey into a world filled with possibilities. As you stand at the threshold of a new chapter, I encourage you to reflect not only on what you have learned but on how you have grown. The true measure of education lies not just in the facts and figures you have acquired but in the character you have built, the values you hold dear, and the relationships you have cultivated”.

"As we envision the trajectory of our institutions, we are committed to fostering an environment of continuous innovation and dynamic solutions for the evolving challenges in academia," said Dr. P. Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE, in reference to the impending changes in academia. “The nature of education is changing dramatically, and at MAHE, we are fully on board with this development. Our teaching strategies are evolving to meet the needs of the contemporary world, placing more emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning than on conventional classroom ideas.”