Bengaluru, Dec 02nd: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, concluded the second day of its 33rd Convocation on Sunday. The event also marked the second convocation for MAHE Online Education and was held at the MAHE Bengaluru campus. The ceremony celebrated MAHE’s commitment to preparing graduates with the skills and creativity to thrive in an AI-driven world. A total of 1,392 students were conferred degrees across various fields by the Directorate of Online Education, MAHE, with 630 students receiving their degrees in person.
The ceremony began with Pro Chancellor, MAHE Dr. H. S. Ballal declaring the convocation open followed by an impactful welcome address by Dr. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor – MLHS and MAHE Bengaluru. For centuries, we competed on speed, scale, and efficiency, but today machines handle tasks once valued for human effort. The true edge lies in slowness, mastery, depth, and presence. This is reflected in the Japanese concept of Takumi, the master craftsman who dedicates a lifetime to perfecting a single skill. Like the Takumi, focus on becoming exceptional at a few things. In a world obsessed with speed, your deliberate, thoughtful work makes you irreplaceable.
Delivering the convocation address, Ms. Paroma Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer of Revolut India, shared powerful lessons for creating meaningful impact. “True change begins by solving real friction and not by chasing quick exits, because great institutions are built for legacy, not for the exit.” She also observes that “technology without cultural context will fail; models that overlook local habits, languages, and everyday realities cannot truly serve people, because “technology is only as powerful as the culture it understands.” Finally, integrity must anchor every decision, for trust earned slowly is far more valuable than speed gained quickly. Together, these lessons provide a roadmap for building work that lasts, leads, and genuinely serves people.
In his speech, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, highlighted the vital role of MAHE’s Directorate of Online Education in advancing accessible and inclusive learning. He noted that the initiative aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 and reinforces the university’s commitment to delivering education that meets the needs of a rapidly evolving AI-driven world. He further added that serving learners from 55 countries, MAHE’s online programs offer diverse pathways and strong industry support, helping students upskill, reskill, and stay globally competitive.
The event also featured the Guest of Honour, Ambarish Sinha, Chief Executive Officer of UNext Learning, whose presence underscored the MAHE’s commitment to building strategic industry partnerships and fostering meaningful exchanges that connect academic excellence with corporate innovation and entrepreneurial leadership in the evolving digital landscape.
The second day of the convocation at MAHE Bengaluru wrapped up with a celebration of academic excellence while highlighting the institution’s dedication to preparing graduates for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world. This marked the conclusion of the five-day convocation ceremony, held over three days at the Manipal campus and two days at the Bengaluru campus. Over these five days, students, faculty, and dignitaries came together to reflect, inspire, and envision the future. Equipped with a strong foundation in innovation, research, and critical thinking, these graduates are ready to navigate uncertainties, harness emerging technologies, and drive meaningful change. As they step forward, they carry not only their degrees but also the courage, vision, and skills to leave a lasting impact on their fields and on the world.