CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Anant National University hosted its 7th Convocation, conferring degrees on 299 students from the Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Design, Anant Fellowship in Sustainability and Built Environment, MSc in Sustainability and Built Environment and Anant Fellowship in Climate Action. Padma Shri awardee and Chief Scientist and Co-founder of Zoho Corporation, Dr Sridhar Vembu, was the Chief Guest. Mr Ajay Piramal, President, Anant National University, Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University, and the members of the board were present during the convocation. “Coming to Anant National University has truly been a joy. The creativity and purpose-driven designs by Anant students blew my mind. I saw remarkable work—the kind of innovation our nation urgently needs,” Dr Vembu shared, drawing the audience of students, faculty and families into deep engagement. He reflected on India’s evolving design landscape, emphasising the importance of future-oriented thinking. “We often celebrate the achievements of our past, yet rarely do we pause to honour what we are building in the present. We must think beyond our own lifetimes and create for the future, and Anant is clearly teaching its students to do exactly that.”
Dr Vembu, who Co-founded Zoho in 1996 and led it as CEO for over twenty years, now helms the company’s cutting-edge AI and deep-tech research—an evolution he describes as “the joy of building for tomorrow.”
Following his address, Mr Piramal, President of Anant National University, spoke about design as a powerful force for national transformation. “Design gives us the tools to reimagine industries, rebuild communities and renew our environment. It is how we transition from ‘Make in India’ as an aspiration to ‘Design for India’ as a philosophy,” he said.
Provost Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi then addressed the 299 graduands from programmes spanning design, architecture, sustainability, climate action and fellowship tracks, situating their journey within India’s moment of accelerating growth. “As you enter this new chapter, remember that there couldn’t have been a better time to begin. India stands in a moment of remarkable opportunity. We are growing, innovating and moving with purpose toward becoming Viksit Bharat within just a few decades.”
He reinforced the generational responsibility the young designers carry, “You will be the builders of the Viksit Bharat, a sustainable, inclusive and globally recognised country. An India where design thinking shapes governance, industry and everyday life.”
This year’s convocation also honoured exceptional achievers across Academic Excellence, Innovation, Best Graduation Project, Best Thesis, Best Live-Action Project and Best Student categories.
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