XLRI - Xavier School of Management celebrated its 61st Annual Convocation on March 25.
606 XLRI students received their graduating certificates. This included 358 students of the batch of 2015-17 of the two-year postgraduate diploma in management (HRM and BM); 117 students of the batch of 2015-16 of the 15-month-long postgraduate diploma in general management (GM) ; 56 students of the batch of 2014–17 of the three-year postgraduate diploma in business management, evening batch; 17 students of the 2014 – 2017 of the three-year postgraduate diploma in business management (Dubai campus); 30 students of the batch of 2013 –16 of the three-year postgraduate diploma in business management (Dubai camus) and 11 students of the Fellow Program in Management (FPM) from the Jamshedpur Campus.
18 Indian students of the third batch (batch of 2015- 17) of the two-year postgraduate in global business management offered by XLRI in partnership with American college Weatherhead School of Managementand China’s Tongji University Shanghai’s School of Economics & Management received their graduating certificates. These students were also awarded a joint certification from the three schools’ consortium.
Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group was conferred the Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for Industrial and Social Peace on the occasion. He also delivered the convocation address this year.
Purchasing power parity In his speech, Godrej expressed his confidence in today’s youth and their capabilities to transform the country’s economy. “The millions of educated youth who make valuable contributions to the economy are digitally savvy, internationally connected and inclusively conscious of the environment and society. These youngsters are entering politics, industry, business have fresh ideas and bold opinions. I see the youth of this country making a difference every day and in every sphere. They are very passionate and dedicated. It gives me the optimism and confidence that they will transform the country.”
In his address, he also praised the current economic reforms and expressed confidence that the country would overtake US economy between 2030- 40 and China by 2050 in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms to emerge as the economic super power of the world. “I believe that you all must re-assess your role that we’ll play in putting our country to achieve its true potential of becoming an economic superpower. We should play our part in India’s growth story and have the opportunity to drive a new wave of growth in the country.”
“On your graduation, many of you may start working at large organizations, some of you may choose to study further while a few of you may even take the leap into becoming entrepreneurs. Whatever the chosen path, there has never been a better time for each of you to contribute to build India’s future. You are a select lot. You will have the opportunities to make valuable contributions to industry, business, politics, economic and social development and international vision of our country. The opportunities you choose to leverage will impact your individual growth and success as well as that of our nation.” he added.
Decisions, decisions Congratulating the students on their graduation day, TV Narendran, Chairman, Board of Governors at XLRI said: “You will be facing a lot of challenges and will be making a lot of decisions which will impact the lives of many of your colleagues and fellow citizens. It is important to exercise your discernment and do the right things at all times.”
In his address, Narendran added: “Helping educate and shape the next generation of scholars and business leaders is a significant task. For over six decades XLRI has steadfastly held on to its mission of proffering world-class education across various management-centric programs. There has never been a more exciting time to pursue management education. Exposing management students to innovate practices and new rising sectors of growth also calls for skilling today’s students with ideas and skill-sets to help shape the world around them. XLRI diligently strives to create a value-based and ethics driven teaching and learning environment whilst underscoring the need for all- round development. This emphasis on inculcating certain core- values is what sets XLRI apart from other B-schools in the country.”
Fr. E Abraham S.J., Director, XLRI congratulated the graduating students and advised them: “As you move on to the next phase of your work-life journey, endeavour to live up to the values that XLRI has striven to inculcate in all of you - to be leaders who contribute their mite to your respective organizations and also to have a sensitive social conscience.”
He also congratulated the faculty and staff for assisting the students on their developmental journey and making XLRI a place of excellence and integrity. “If XLRI had a successful year in 2016-17, it is the result of our teamwork and our determination to take the institute forward and make it globally competitive and a force to reckon with in the years to come,” he said.