New Delhi: Addressing the 18th convocation ceremony of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday said that the talent and abilities of today’s graduates will take India to new heights on the global stage. “Today’s graduates are the true promoters of Viksit Bharat,” she said at an event held at Surajmal Vihar University’s East Delhi campus. A total of 26,649 degrees were awarded to students, including 124 doctorates, 11 masters, 2,873 postgraduates, 22,455 undergraduates, 477 Bachelor of Internal Medicine, 709 MD/MS and MD/MS. University officials say that among this year’s graduating class, women make up 70 percent of doctoral candidates. Seventy-six gold medals and six commemorative awards were awarded to outstanding students. Addressing the ceremony, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and Principal of GGSIPU, said that this rally not only marks the end of the academic journey but also the beginning of new responsibilities for nation building. Students are entering a world that is rapidly being reshaped by artificial intelligence and sustainable innovation, he said, urging them to go beyond textbook learning. “Logical thinking is the real advantage in the era of artificial intelligence and innovation. Degrees must go beyond textbook knowledge,” LG Sandhu said. Adaptability, logical thinking and the courage to innovate will be crucial in the coming years, he said. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision, he said the country needs problem solvers who can solve complex challenges in areas such as urban development, public health and digital governance. GGSIPU Vice-Chancellor Mahesh Verma reiterated the university’s focus on innovation, research and preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. “Move forward with responsibility, integrity and purpose,” he said. Yogesh Singh, vice-chancellor of Delhi University and chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education, was also present at the rally. The chief minister said the rally reflected the hard work, discipline and dedication of the students over the years. She urged students to use their education not only for personal growth but also for the greater good of society. She also highlighted the university’s work in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, data science and design innovation. Praising the university’s Atal Incubation Centre, the chief minister said the center has supported more than 170 start-ups and helped young people transform from job seekers to job creators. Outlining the Delhi government’s education priorities, Gupta said the education budget has been increased to Rs 19,326 crore this year. “Our aim is not only to make schools smarter but also to ensure world-class facilities in the higher education sector,” the chief minister said, adding that more than 2,200 students are receiving free coaching for competitive exams such as JEE, NEET and CLAT.
