It was my privilege to attend 15^th Convocation ceremony of SBM – NMIMS Bengaluru campus.

Introduction

NMIMS Bengaluru hosted its 15^th Annual Convocation Ceremony on April 20^th, 2024, at their campus. Convocation 2024 marks the successful culmination of the academic pursuits of 241 students of MBA and PGDM (Executive), School of Business Management. On this occasion, we were privileged to have:-

• Mr. Richard Lobo – Chief People Officer, Tech Mahindra as the Chief Guest
• Mr. Ramesh Nagesh – Head of Operations and Excellence, Risk and Governance, Mashreq as the Guest of Honour.
• Shailesh M Patel – Chairman, LMC, SVKM’s NMIMS, Bengaluru campus
• Ramesh Bhat – Vice Chancellor, SVKM’s NMIMS Deemed-to-be University
• Ashish Apte – CONTROLLER OF EXAMINATIONS at SVKM’S NMIMS UNIVERSITY
• Dr. Narayani Ramachandran – Director ,SVKM’s NMIMS , Bengaluru

The Ceremony

The ceremony began with the arrival of the academic procession. After the opening prayer, the Chancellor officially declared the convocation open. We enjoyed a wonderful welcome speech by the Vice Chancellor, followed by the awarding of degrees and presentation of awards.

Next, we heard inspiring speeches from the Guest of Honour and Chief Guest. Finally, the Chancellor closed the convocation, and the ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks and the national anthem.

Inspiring Words

There were many valuable lessons from the speeches given by the respected speakers. Students received plenty of advice on navigating their careers and facing challenges ahead. Here are a few highlights:

• All of the graduating students are brand ambassadors of NMIMS.
• VUCA: Graduates were urged to be adaptable and resilient. VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. It’s a term used to describe the challenges and characteristics of today’s business and organizational environment. VUCA highlights the need for organizations to be adaptable, resilient, and agile in order to thrive in today’s dynamic and uncertain world.
• Strive towards Innovation and creativity.
• Ubuntu: An African philosophy that emphasizes community, cooperation, and mutual respect. It’s a term derived from the Bantu languages of southern Africa and is often translated as “I am because we are” or “humanity towards others.” Ubuntu encourages a collaborative and interconnected approach to work, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, shared goals, and collective well-being. It promotes a culture where individuals value and support each other, recognizing that the success of one is intertwined with the success of all.
• “4Es and a P” of leadership: Jack Welch used a very “simple” framework to evaluate talent; a framework still being used today based on the following five traits: Energy, an ability to Energize, Edge, an ability to Execute and WITH passion.
• Learn, unlearn, and relearn: Leaders emphasized the importance of continuous learning, adaptability, and flexibility in the workplace. In today’s rapidly changing business environment, the ability to learn new skills, unlearn outdated practices, and relearn as needed is crucial for staying relevant, innovative, and competitive.
• Seek opportunities. There is no free lunch
• Resilience: A career is no 100 Mts sprint. It will be a marathon with ups and downs. The journey of building a successful career is a long-term commitment that requires endurance, resilience, and strategic planning.
• Lifelong Learning: The importance of continuous learning and upskilling in a constantly evolving world was emphasized. Only constant is change.
• Darwin finches theory: Darwin observed several species of finches on the Galápagos Islands. He noted that these finches had different beak shapes and sizes, which appeared to be adapted to the specific foods available on each island. Darwin’s finches provide a useful metaphor for understanding the importance of diversity, adaptation, innovation, and collaboration in the workplace. By embracing these principles, organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, positioning themselves for long-term success in a competitive environment.
• Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively express one’s own emotions, as well as to engage and navigate successfully with the emotions of others. As you proceed ahead in your life you will deal with numerous people. Always remember to celebrate success of your friends. Compete against yourself only. By fostering emotional intelligence you can cultivate a more empathetic, resilient, and collaborative workforce.
• Ethical leadership: Please do what is right than what is allowed. Become an ethical leader by demonstrating integrity, honesty, fairness, and transparency in your actions and decisions, setting a positive example for others to follow.
• All the leader emphasised the power of Networking. Networking in the workplace is a powerful tool for career growth, professional development, and organizational success. Building and maintaining strong professional relationships within and outside your organization can open doors to new opportunities, foster collaboration, and enhance your reputation.
• Don’t burnout and try to embrace your passion. Work life balance is important 
• Global perspective: A global perspective in the workplace refers to the ability to understand, appreciate, and navigate cultural, economic, and social differences in a globalized world. In today’s interconnected and diverse business environment, having a global perspective is essential for organizations and individuals alike. So be well read and be on top of World news.
• Practice Transformational leadership: Transformational leadership is a leadership style that inspires and motivates followers to achieve their full potential and contribute to organizational success through a shared vision, innovation, and personal growth. They challenge the status quo, encourage creativity and innovation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
• Purpose-Driven Careers: To end with students were advised to work in company where their individual purpose aligns with the broader company purpose. 

A Lasting Impression

The sustainability pledge made by the graduating students left a strong impression on me. I was really impressed by the graduating students’ commitment to sustainability. Interestingly, one of the speeches mentioned Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Success.” What a fitting way to conclude this article than by sharing this poem. According to Emerson, success means recognizing our connection with nature and each other. “Success” suggests that making the world better can be as simple as raising children, planting a garden, or making friends.

Success

To laugh often and much; 
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; 
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; 
To appreciate beauty, 
To find the best in others, 
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, 
A garden patch or a redeemed social condition; 
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. 
This is to have succeeded.

–  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Conclusion

The 15th NMIMS Bengaluru convocation ceremony was a celebration of academic achievement and a launchpad for the graduates’ journeys into the professional world. The valuable lessons imparted by the esteemed speakers will undoubtedly guide these young minds as they navigate their careers. The event concluded with a delicious lunch and insightful conversations with the university leaders. I extend my gratitude to Dr. Narayani Ramachandran and Mr. Shailesh M Patel for inviting me to be a part of this momentous occasion.

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