S. Vishnu Sharma
SRMIST 16th convocation turned cynosure of all eyes as ISRO chairman K.Sivan said students must take advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
The SRMIST 16th convocation witnessed about 17,204 students receiving their degrees.
The students who received the degrees during SRMIST 16th convocation were from the faculties of engineering and technology, faculty of science and humanities, medicine and health sciences and management studies including 129 Ph.D. scholars.
About 244 students were awarded medals for having secured first, second, and the third rank in their programmes during the SRMIST 16th convocation.
The event was held virtually as per the protocol of the Government of Tamil Nadu due to the ongoing pandemic.
Based on the restrictions imposed by the state government only rank Holders and Ph.D. degree awardees were given their degrees in person during the SRMIST 16th convocation.
T.P. Ganesan auditorium located on the main campus of SRM Institute of Science and Technology at Kattankulathur near Chennai rang loud with thunderous applause from the students even as ISRO Chairman ventured ahead to speak more to the graduands.
SRMIST 16th convocation remains a great grand affair
Speaking further at SRMIST 16th convocation, K. Sivan said ‘remember the challenges this country is facing.
Each of these challenges will offer an opportunity for innovation, said ISRO chief during SRMIST 16th convocation.
‘Make the most out of these opportunities that come your way,’ said ISRO chief while speaking to the students during SRMIST 16th convocation.
Treading down the memory lane during at SRMIST 16th convocation, senior scientist said the job scenario was not as vibrant when he graduated about three decades ago.
Areas of specialisation limited the career options, said K.Sivan.
Coming back to the present, he said career options are many today.
However there is an added volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity about the global economy, he reminded while speaking to the students during SRMIST 16th convocation.
You are all much smarter and aware about these scenarios than the older generations.
Nevertheless, remember, you are unlikely to get your dream job or create a successful business simply by wishing for it.
You will have to definitely work more than others, know more than others and expect less than others, said K.Sivan during the SRMIST 16th convocation.
The most valuable advise poured out from the chief guest ‘life and career are not about making best choices in life but are about making the best of the opportunity available to you.’
‘If something is denied to you, it only means something bigger is waiting for you.
As Dalai Lama said ‘sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck,’ said the chief guest during SRMIST 16th convocation.
Quoting an example from his own life during SRMIST 16th convocation, ISRO chief K.Sivan said ‘after high school, I wanted to study engineering but ended up studying BSc. Mathematics.
Later, I got into Engineering and wanted to Join ISAC at Bangalore but ended up joining VSSC.
In VSSC also, I wanted to join the Aerodynamics group but ended up joining PSLV project. At every stage of my life, I never got what I wanted as first choice.
However, I learnt a lesson that one has to make the best out of the opportunity available, said K. Sivan during SRMIST 16th convocation.
SRMIST 16th convocation turned even more special when the chief guest heaped praises on the educational institution.
‘SRMIST has the honour of developing its own nano-satellite “SRMSAT,” in collaboration with ISRO, the satellite was launched with the twin scientific objectives of monitoring and estimating carbon dioxide and water vapor in the tropical atmosphere globally.’
Our Government has already announced space sector reforms for greater participation of non-governmental entities in space activities.
Our next PSLV launch will have satellites from start-up agencies as the first product of these reforms.
‘I now invite SRMIST to join hands with ISRO to work on similar projects in the future,’ he said during the SRMIST 16th convocation.
Founder chancellor of SRMIST Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar said it was an honour to have Dr Sivan during the SRMIST 16th convocation.
In his service, he (Dr. Sivan) was the chief mission architect for successfully launching 104 satellites in a single mission of PSLV, said Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar who is also the Member of Parliament.
It is really an achievement. He has taken our country to a different height in the space research parallel to a few of the advanced countries, said Dr. Paarivendhar during SRMIST 16th convocation.
Speaking to the students during SRMIST 16th convocation, Dr. Paarivendhar further said students have to be alert and careful in retaining their jobs as there are competitions and challenges.
There is a need to constantly upgrade their skills, knowledge and talent in their respective fields, he said.
He said success of the alma mater comes from the success of its alumni.
‘Become successful and come back to the campus and share your success story with your juniors and inspire them,’ said Dr. Paarivendhar during SRMIST 16th convocation.
Endowment award in the name of Tmt Pachimmal Palanimuthu for the best outgoing MBBS
student and Tmt Swarnam and Dr. Krishnamoorthy Endowment award for the best overall outgoing student of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center was awarded to Ms. Kritika Wadhwa for topping among all students in the final year and in the overall duration of the course in MBBS programme.
Endowment in the name of Tmt Lakshmi and Dr. Renganathan for the best outgoing BDS student of SRM Kattankulathur Dental College and Hospital was awarded to K. Shyam Sharma.
Vice chancellor of SRMIST Dr. Sandeep Sancheti presented the annual report. SRMIST Pro-chancellor (administration) Ravi Pachamoothoo, SRMIST Pro-vice chancellor (academics) Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan were among others present.