University celebrates 11th Convocation with many firsts

Shiv Nadar University celebrated excellence, diversity, hard work and gratitude on Saturday during the Eleventh Convocation. The state-of-the-art 120,000 sq. feet Indoor Sports Complex stood decked as proud grandparents, parents and siblings streamed in to fill the venue.

The Class of 2025 graduated with many firsts – the largest batch to date, the highest number of Ph.D degree holders, the most diverse graduating batch, and the first batch of the university's rural development program.

An emotion that Chancellor Shikhar Malhotra perfectly summed up. "What can be a greater reflection of Shiv Nadar University than a melting pot of India's best and brightest from all corners of the country? You represent diverse ideas and thoughts; we are all richer in each other's company. Shiv Nadar University has truly become a university for the country, by the country. Wherever you go in life, do embrace this diversity. What's a better example of diversity than a university founded by a Tamilan in Uttar Pradesh, whose chancellor is Punjabi and the Vice Chancellor is a Bengali Canadian?" said Malhotra.

Giving their message to the graduating batch – Mr. Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa and Former CEO of NITI Aayog (Guest of Honour); Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO; Dr. Archana Sharma, Principal Staff Scientist at CERN, both honorary doctorate recipients – spoke about the limitless possibilities that New India has to offer even in the time of global turmoil.

Delivering her report, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ananya Mukherjee welcomed the dignitaries and quipped, "Today, we are launching over 900 indigenously built missiles, and we are eagerly awaiting the news of their success."

This convocation marked the university's largest graduating class, with 910 students. 696 undergraduate, 152 postgraduate, and 62 Ph.D. degrees were awarded across the School of Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and School of Management and Entrepreneurship. Various other outstanding academic performances were also recognized with special awards and distinctions.

Shivani and Arvind Shorewala, parents of Tanisha Shorewala, who topped the School of Management and Entrepreneurship, said, "It's a very proud moment for us. She has passed her Bachelor of Management Studies with top honours. My message to her and all her batch mates is to go and conquer the word."

Earlier, delivering his acceptance speech that was punctuated with applause, after receiving his honorary doctorate, Dr. V. Narayanan thanked his teachers, wife and parents for their support and dedicated the award to the 20,000 employees of the Department of Space. "The degree you hold today is a culmination of efforts by parents, primary, high school and senior school teachers, faculty, staff members, and gardeners. I salute the efforts made by all in helping the students graduate. One should also thank the country's taxpayers; each graduate here is responsible for paying back to society and being an agent of change. It is because of the idea by the great son of India, Mr. Shiv Nadar, that this great university is in place. I commend his visionary leadership in education and philanthropy. He is the son of the soil who has dared to dream and made a remarkable difference to the country," said Dr. Narayanan.

Pradeep Kumar Sinha, Non-Executive Chairman of ICICI Bank; Former Cabinet Secretary, and Former Principal Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, was awarded his honorary doctorate in a separate ceremony on May 7, 2025.

Addressing the batch of 2025, Amitabh Kant said, "Students, you are graduating at a time which, to my mind, is one of the most transformational periods in the world's history. Never before in the world have we seen such radical transformations in globalization. Many of you will play a critical role in transforming India and making it an innovative India. And I am sure that all of you will shape the future and bring pride to this great university."

Delivering her acceptance speech after receiving her honorary doctorate, Dr. Archana Sharma said, "We need to bring transformations in industries, transformation in the way our young startup ecosystem is marching forward, and that momentum needs to embrace public-private partnerships to transform healthcare, for example. I believe that this is the time to leverage science, not only to understand the universe as I do at CERN, but to serve humanity. May we walk together, scientists, educators, entrepreneurs, and citizens, towards a future where knowledge is not a privilege but a light for all."

The evening of the winners continued with the graduates receiving their degrees. The segment began with Bachelor of Science (Research) Physics student Idris Khorakiwala bagging the Gold Medal with a CGPA of 9.86; winning the Silver Medal was Bachelor of Arts (Research) History student Trinanjana Sen with a 9.77 CGPA. The topper of the School of Engineering was Saideep Kilaru from Computer Science and Engineering, with a CGPA of 9.47.

As the graduates trickled out of the Indoor Sports Complex, some to party, others to celebrate with family, future plans loomed large, mixed with appreciation for their formative years at Shiv Nadar University.