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Young Designers Power a Bold New Vision for India

Newz Daddy Educational Updates

Anant National University held its 7th Convocation in Ahmedabad on 6 December 2025. The event marked a proud day for the university, as 299 students received their degrees across different programmes. These included the Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Design, MSc in Sustainability and Built Environment, Anant Fellowship in Sustainability and Built Environment, and the Anant Fellowship in Climate Action. Families, faculty members and guests filled the campus to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the graduating class.

The Chief Guest for the ceremony was Dr Sridhar Vembu, a Padma Shri awardee and the Chief Scientist and Co-founder of Zoho Corporation. Dr Vembu is known for building one of India’s most successful software product companies and for supporting rural talent by setting up offices and training centres in smaller towns. His journey is widely respected because he has always focused on simple living, honest work and long-term thinking.

During his address, Dr Vembu spoke with warmth, humour and deep meaning. He shared how visiting Anant National University gave him joy and how he was impressed by the creativity of the students. He said that the designs he saw were not only beautiful but also purposeful. He added that India needs innovation that solves real problems, and he felt the students at the university were on the right path. He reminded them that good design touches the heart and soul and asked them to stay curious and humble as they build their future.

He also spoke about his own journey with Zoho. Founded in 1996, the company grew steadily while following a very different path from other tech firms. Zoho built its own products, hired young people from small towns, created its own training system and stayed private while putting quality first. In 2025, Dr Vembu took on the new role of Chief Scientist to focus on deep-tech research, including work in artificial intelligence. He said that true success comes from contentment and humility and urged students to focus on solving real problems instead of chasing fame.

Speaking at the convocation, Mr Ajay Piramal, President of Anant National University, shared how design could help India grow. He explained that design has the power to change industries, rebuild communities and protect the environment. He said that the university aims to train young people not just to think creatively but to use design in real life. According to him, India can move from “Make in India” to “Design for India” by supporting innovation, skill and care. He said the world needs designers who can build better cities, support local communities and improve everyday life.

Provost Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi congratulated the students and said this was the right moment to start their careers. He explained that India is moving quickly with new ideas, new technologies and new industries. He added that the dream of becoming a developed India, or Viksit Bharat, is now closer than ever. He said the graduating students would play an important part in shaping this future. He encouraged them to think about sustainability, inclusion and global impact while using design thinking in their work.

The ceremony also honoured students for their special achievements. Awards were given for Academic Excellence, Outstanding Academic Performance, Best Innovation, Best Graduation Project, Best Thesis, Best Live-Action Project and Best Student across the programmes. These awards celebrated dedication, creativity and commitment to learning.

The campus transformed into a lively exhibition space for the ceremony. Students displayed their projects in galleries, studios and auditoriums. Visitors were able to walk through the work and see how the students used design to solve social, environmental and community challenges. The displays showed a range of ideas, from sustainable homes to climate-aware systems, reflecting the mission of the university to build thoughtful and responsible designers.

Anant National University has a history of hosting respected leaders at its convocations. In previous years, guests have included Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee Mrs Sudha Murty, Padma Vibhushan B V Doshi, Padma Bhushan N Chandrasekaran and the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Their presence reflects the university’s belief in learning from leaders who have served society with skill and vision.

The 7th Convocation celebrated achievement, purpose and hope. It also marked a new beginning for the graduates, who now step into the world as young designers ready to shape India’s future with creativity, compassion and responsibility.