Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus held the convocation ceremony for the graduating students of the Class of 2013 today. Padma Bhushan Rahul Dravid, former Captain of the Indian cricket team and one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket graced the occasion as the chief guest and was joined by Dr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor BITS Pilani, Prof. B.N. Jain, the Vice-Chancellor, Directors of all four campuses, Prof. V. S. Rao, Prof. G. Raghurama, Prof. R. K. Mittal and Prof. K. E. Raman, members of the senate, the faculty of Goa campus, members of the graduating class of 2013 and members of their families.
A total of 687 students were awarded their degrees on the occasion out of which 440 students received their first degrees, 149 of them, their first degree along with another degree under the dual degree scheme, 93 received higher degrees and 5 were awarded with their Ph.D. Three students, Tushar mandar, Joshi Abhijit Mohan and Chithra were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for securing first, second and third position respectively.
Presenting the convocation Report 2013, Prof. B.N. Jain, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani reaffirmed the long-term vision to be listed as one of India's top 3 research-led technical institutes by 2015, He said, "Over 20,000 industry professionals are currently enrolled in one of 24 UG or PG programmes, the expected enrollment is expected to touch 38,000 and the current ratio of over 18 students to one faculty will be improved to 13:1 by the year 2020. This phase of our growth will be propelled by three factors: technology enablement, applied research and innovation and internationalization. "
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani welcomed and introduced the Chief guest, 'Mr. Dependable' Rahul Dravid. Addressing the students, Dr. Birla said, " We congratulate you on completing the first important leg of your journey and wish you luck for the next chapter of your life which will be full of challenges, opportunities, responsibilities, adventures setbacks and triumphs." Speaking of knowledge, he said that it is a never ending continuum and a person who graduates today and stops learning tomorrow is uneducated the day after. He added that learning from mentors at workplace is important as these are the people who have rich experience and the ones we can depend on in times of doubt. He concluded his speech by saying, "You must strive to be the very best you can possibly ever be by constantly enriching yourself through new experiences, understanding your own strengths and weaknesses and working doggedly to enhance your own competencies."
In his inspiring address, the chief guest Padma Bhushan Rahul Dravid said, "Being invited to BITS is both an honour and a humbling experience for me. Cricket made me a better person and taught me how to deal with success and failures." He said that there is no single way to succeed but a million ways which are unique to everyone. He added that support comes from most unexpected places and makes all the difference in our lives. Dravid emphasized on the importance of patience through another life story when he said that he had to wait for 5 years for his first international game. He concluded his speech by saying, "As I sat alone dealing with my success and failures, I got to understand myself better, the climb became everything to me and i immersed myself in it. As I got closer to my mountain, I managed to remain focused and keep my eyes on the destination" and congratulated the graduating class of 2013
Congratulating the students, Prof. K.E. Raman, Director of the KK Birla Goa campus, presented a report on BITS Plilani K.K.Birla Campus and said, “My heartiest wishes to the graduating students and their families. As you walk out into the world to traverse your chosen paths, do not forget the importance of continuous learning. In the ever-evolving world of today, every person and organization must adapt and change. In fifty glorious years of its existence, your Alma Mater has several firsts to its name such as practice schools, a unique multi-campus education model running for past 4 decades, a dedicated technology incubator and path-breaking research projects. We are confident that you will make us proud the same way you are proud of your institute.” Speaking of the campus, he added, "We are now embarking upon an ambitious growth plan over the next 7 years, wherein the student population will almost be doubled and the focus would be on post graduate and research programmes."