14th Convocation at HITS

The 14th Convocation of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science was held on 16 September 2023.

16 September 2023 – Forenoon

The Chief Guest for the forenoon session was General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh, (Retd.) - Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, and Road Transport and Highways. The Guests of Honor were Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter König Professor and Head, Institute for Automotive Technology, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Germany and Mr. Pablo Gándara, Team Leader, International Urban Regional Cooperation (IURC) Project of Europe and Asia / Australasia. Mr. Sudhanshu Mani, Retd. General Manager, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) was the special guest.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of Dr. Elizabeth Verghese, Founder Chancellor; Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chancellor; Mr. Ashok Verghese, Pro Chancellor; Dr. Aby Sam, Executive Director; Dr. S. N. Sridhara, Vice Chancellor; Dr. R.W. Alexander Jesudasan, Pro Vice Chancellor; Dr. Pon Ramalingam, Registrar; Dr. C. Kezi Selva Vijila, COE and Members of the Board of Management, Directors, Deans, Heads of Departments and Faculty Members of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science.

During the Convocation, a total of 1457 candidates comprising of UG, PG, and Ph.D. students received their degrees. A total of 62 rank holders were honored with medals and cash prizes for their meritorious performance in academics. The Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) was conferred on Mr. Sudhanshu Mani, Retd. General Manager, Integral Coach Factory (ICF). Mr. Pablo Gándara, Team Leader, International Urban Regional Cooperation (IURC) Project of Europe and Asia / Australasia received the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa).

Three students received special awards viz.,

Dr. S. N. Sridhara delivered the welcome address and presented the Annual Report of 2022-23 highlighting the Institution’s achievements in Rankings, Awards, Academics and Research Activities, Social Outreach Activities, Sports, Cultural Events, Training and Placements, in a nutshell. Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chancellor, in his Convocation address emphasized the role of education in expanding horizons and connecting individuals to opportunities. He encouraged the graduates to think beyond professional gain and urged them to uplift their communities, mentor juniors, and create positive change. He also reiterated that graduation marks a step forward in lifelong learning and so he called on the graduates to embrace opportunities with a sense of responsibility. He expressed his confidence in the graduates' ability to make a positive impact and encouraged them to remain connected to HITS.

The Chief Guest, General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd), Hon'ble Union Minister of State, addressing the graduating students said that beyond their degrees, their worth would be determined by their contributions, work ethics, and interactions in their future organizations.

He stressed the importance of hard work and continuous learning, urging the graduates to remain open-minded and receptive to new experiences, knowledge, and even their own mistakes. He encouraged the graduates to harness their innovative potential, experiment, and capitalize on India's data-rich environment.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Pablo Gandara emphasized the significance of research and its role as a crucial raw material for the progress of societies. He acknowledged India's position as a global hub of innovation and the essential role played by institutions like the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Sciences (HITS) in nurturing talent and future leaders. Drawing from his extensive career, he highlighted the importance of collaboration between public authorities, research institutions, and businesses in finding sustainable solutions for cities and regions. Reflecting on the research process, he spoke about the initial stages where researchers face challenges, develop models, and test hypotheses. Mr. Pablo Gandara emphasized the importance of peer support and guidance within the research community, highlighting the commitment of the Hindustan Group of Academic Institutions to support researchers and scientific excellence.

Mr. Sudhanshu Mani, retired General Manager of the Integral Coach Factory in his acceptance speech acknowledged the conferred doctorate. Mr. Sudhanshu Mani highlighted the significance of keeping an open mind and learning from others. Addressing the graduating students, he congratulated them and emphasized that success should not be solely based on outcomes, as they often lie beyond one's control. Instead, he encouraged the students to give their best efforts, pour in their passion, commitment, and hard work into their endeavors. He reassured them that even in the face of failure, each setback serves as a stepping stone towards eventual success.

The convocation came to a denouement with the distribution of awards and administration of pledge for the graduates. The Rank Holders, Ph.D. Awardees, Post-Graduation, B.Arch., and B. Des. were awarded degrees in the forenoon session. The graduands from the School of Engineering and Technology. School of Liberal Arts and Applied Sciences, School of Law, and School of Management received their degrees in the afternoon session.

16 September 2023 – Afternoon

The Chief Guest for the afternoon session was Dr.-Ing. Peter König, Professor and Head of Automotive Technology at Trier University, Germany and the Guest of Honor was Mr. Pablo Gandara, Team Leader of the IURC Project of Europe and Asia, Australasia.

The Chief Guest, Dr.-Ing. Peter König congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to celebrate their achievements. He stressed the importance of teamwork, urging the graduates to support one another and act as a cohesive unit. He then continued to emphasize that success should be shared collectively, not in isolation. He urged the graduates to stay grounded and authentic, advising against getting lost in the distractions of social media. He appealed to them to take charge of their lives, set their goals, and critically assess themselves. He concluded his speech by reiterating the significance of the day for the graduates and encouraged them to celebrate before embarking on their journey to make themselves even more successful.

Mr. Pablo Gandara, the Guest of Honor, in his address encouraged the graduates to embrace new ideas and pursue them passionately. He informed them that every individual has experienced moments of uncertainty when transitioning from a structured academic environment with clear goals to the broader, uncharted territories of post-graduation life. Mr. Gandara emphasized that the uncertainties of life should not lead an individual to desperation. Instead, he advised the graduates to set their own goals while maintaining a calm and engaged approach. He suggested keeping an open mind and reaching out for support when needed. He concluded his speech by encouraging them to relish the moment as they have received their well-earned diplomas, concluding by expressing gratitude for the degrees they had earned.

In his welcome address, Dr. R. W. Alexander Jesudasan, Pro Vice Chancellor, extended a cordial welcome to one and all. Turning his attention to the graduates, he stressed that receiving a degree is not the end of education but rather a significant step toward the future. He emphasized that life should be approached with a sense of proportion, with each element mixed in the right measure to create a successful and fulfilling journey. He encouraged the graduates to continue their education and strive for excellence in their chosen paths, whether through higher education, employment, or entrepreneurship. He reiterated the importance of continuous growth and balance in life, emphasizing that success is an ongoing journey.

Graduates Details:

YouTube Links:

Session 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbij5Fpb_vY&t=6168s

Session 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy9R7QgeHMs&t=20s