The Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) hosted its annual convocation ceremony for the graduating class of 2013-2015. Prominent social worker Vikas Amte (son of Magsaysay Award winner Baba Amte) and the Consul General of Israel David Akov were the chief guest and guest of honour at the event respectively.
Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe, Group Director of WeSchool, said in his address to the audience, “WeSchool education is about bringing in consciousness towards society, apart from the organisation and the self. The goal is to bring about excellence and inclusiveness together.”
In his address to the graduating batch of students, Amte, who is also the administrator of Anandwan, the community set up by Baba Amte in 1948 for leprosy patients, said, “I too represent a university, but unlike you, my university comprises of people who are rejected, dejected and ejected by society. What we aim to do is bring in dignity in the lives of these people. We work to reach out to the loneliest, lowliest and last person and hope to change the way their live their lives. Chance and not charity is our philosophy. So we focus on building skills and get them to participate in building their lives. Today, as I address young students who will play a pivotal role in how society shapes in the future, I recall what Baba Amte always said, “If you want to see change, do it today and do it yourself”. So as you go out in the world as corporate citizens, remember your role and need to contribute as citizens and humans towards other humans.”
Akov, in his address, emphasised the need for collaboration between students of India and Israel, especially for innovation in areas of agribusiness, healthcare and entrepreneurship.