Vinita Bali Inspires Ahmedabad University's Class of 2024 to Lead with Purpose and Global Perspective

Ahmedabad University has built an innovative academic ecosystem, redefining the ways of learning through research-driven thinking, hands-on experiences, and interdisciplinary exploration. The University has reimagined the classroom experience to equip students to tackle complex global challenges that lie at the intersection of diverse disciplines - a foundation that not only shapes the future of education but also drives societal progress.

Chancellor Sanjay Lalbhai, Former MD of Britannia Industries Vinita Bali, and Vice Chancellor Professor Pankaj Chandra (left to right) lead the way to 14th Annual Convocation

The University has rapidly emerged as a high-quality multidisciplinary institution, renowned for its transformative impact on the lives of young people evidenced in the outstanding outcomes achieved by the graduating class of 2024.

830 students received degrees, including 659 undergraduates, 164 masters, and seven doctoral students. The University honoured six students with gold medals for their outstanding achievements

The 14th Annual Convocation celebrated the remarkable achievements of its students, showcasing their groundbreaking research and real-world impact. These achievements include developing strategies for decarbonisation using material efficiency and circular economy principles; analysing canal irrigation systems to propose equitable solutions for water distribution among farmers; and innovating nanoparticle-based immunoliposome delivery systems for targeted chemotherapy and microRNA therapy to treat breast cancer, to name a few.

In addition to their research accomplishments, the class of 2024 demonstrated the benefits of a liberal education, securing admissions to prestigious global institutions, obtaining roles with progressive Indian companies, and venturing into the dynamic world of startups.

The 14th Annual Convocation, held on December 10, 2024, marked the success of 830 such students embarking on their next journeys after earning their degrees. Among them were 494 students from the Amrut Mody School of Management, 162 from the School of Arts and Sciences, and 174 from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The University also conferred doctoral degrees to seven graduates for their groundbreaking contributions to research. Additionally, the top students of the Class of 2024 were honoured with gold medals for their exceptional performance.

Vinita Bali, former Managing Director of Britannia Industries and a globally acclaimed leader in business and sustainability, delivered the convocation address that embodied Ahmedabad Universitys commitment to inspiring students to apply their learning in service to the community. Drawing from her extensive experience across sectors and geographies, Ms Bali emphasised the need to make the right choice. "In your everyday life, you will face choices and dilemmas, both big and small. Maintain your integrity, sense of ethics, and values, and strive to do what is right-not just for ourselves but also for our planet and community. The planet is crying out to people like us for help because when all the trees are cut, the waters are polluted, the animals are gone, and the air is no longer fit to breathe, we will realize that we cannot eat money."

Emphasising the responsibility of industrialists, she added, "Today in the corporate world, we talk about concepts like CSR and ESG. But past industrialists had already embraced these values long before such terms existed. For instance, Ahmedabad University is the vision of an industrialist-your Chancellors grandfather, Kasturbhai Lalbhai. Similarly, consider what Jamshedji Tata did in Jamshedpur long before CSR and ESG were coined. He believed that in business, the community is not just another stakeholder; it is the very purpose of our existence. This is the responsibility that those people have bestowed on us. And this is our responsibility."

Presiding over the ceremony, Chancellor Sanjay Lalbhai reflected on the vision of Ahmedabad University: to build an institution that positions India once again as a leading light in the creation and dissemination of knowledge. He remarked, "We recall the time when ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila were the foremost institutions of research and learning, recognised worldwide. We aspire for Ahmedabad University to shine just as brightly and add many more disciplines to make it a holistic and be acclaimed as an excellent centre of learning with many more disciplines to make it a holistic and complete center of education. Graduating students, your continued support for the University will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ahmedabad University."

Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Management, Professor Pankaj Chandra, in his address, inspired graduates to use their education to make meaningful contributions to society with five key messages. "To the graduating class - as you step out of the University today, let me say five things: One: Question everything around you and make your education count. Two: Be grateful. Three: Dont stop learning today. Continue to invest in your learning and your experiences. It will be the new learning that will keep you moving forward purposefully. Four: Fulfil the public good promise of education - to become a better citizen with a strong civic sense and a caring eye. And, Five, always remember that your journey going forward is going to be unique to you. Each of your paths will unfold differently and at different times from others, so flourish within your uniqueness in this world," said Professor Chandra.

The valedictorian, Aditya Gupta (BBA Hons, Class of 2024), reflected on the unique journey of the Class of 2024, which began in the midst of the pandemic. As the first cohort to transition from online classrooms to exploring the University's vibrant campus, Aditya recounted how the challenges of the pandemic brought his peers closer, creating cherished memories in every corner of the campus. Highlighting how Ahmedabad University became more than just a learning platform - a community of people who made difficult times easier - he concluded with an empowering message: "We have the power to lead, to inspire, and to make a difference."

The 14th Annual Convocation was attended by the University's Governing Body and Board of Management members, faculty, alumni, students, staff, and all the proud families, friends, and loved ones of the graduates who have helped their graduates succeed.

About Ahmedabad University

Ahmedabad University is a leading private, non-profit research university offering students a liberal education focused on interdisciplinary learning, practice orientation, and research thinking.

The University has been

• Recognised by the Government of Gujarat as a Centre of Excellence.

• Accredited with A grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

• Awarded a 5-star rating, the highest awarded in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) for 2021-22, by the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG), Department of Education, Government of Gujarat.

• Awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) International Award for Excellence 2024 for our University Centre.

• Awarded a Platinum Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for sustainability and green practices.

• Recognised by the UGC under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, becoming one of the very few private research universities to have been awarded this recognition for select research universities.

• Recognised as a Highly Commended University for Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023.

• Awarded the AACSB's Innovations That Inspire Award 2023 for its Foundation Programme.

• Awarded Gold Rating by the Indian Green Building Council for achieving the Green Building Standards at our University Centre.

The University, established in 2009, is rooted in the vision of one of India's finest educational foundations, the Ahmedabad Education Society, which was founded in 1935 by nationalist leaders. Programmes at the University range from bachelors to doctoral levels in humanities and social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and management through its 13 Schools and Centres:

Amrut Mody School of Management | Bagchi School of Public Health | School of Arts and Sciences | School of Engineering and Applied Science | Ahmedabad Design Lab | Centre for Heritage Management | Centre for Inter-Asian Research | Centre for Learning Futures | Global Centre for Environment and Energy | International Centre for Space and Cosmology | Sahyog: Centre for Promoting Health | The Climate Institute | VentureStudio

An urban university, Ahmedabad promotes independent-mindedness and diversity across all dimensions of its activity and helps students mature into critical thinkers who are analytically equipped, practically oriented, and contextually aware global citizens. The University provides a contemporary educational framework that brings liberal arts, sciences, and the professions to engage together in creating new knowledge for addressing complex challenges of the society and in offering majors that merge the boundaries of disciplines to prepare students for the new economy.