Parul University bid farewell to the Graduating batch of 2025, holding its 9th Convocation, an event that brought together many of the national leaders and celebrated icons along with thousands of hopeful graduates. The processional entrance was an extraordinary display of pride, nostalgia, excitement, and captured the last chapter of student experiences in their journey while being at university, while at the same time providing the opportunity to be at the starting point of their next adventure all together.

More than 16,000 students graduated this year and the 9th convocation ceremony witnessed the presence of 12,000 graduates from across all disciplines, and more than 23,000 guests, including the students, parents, friends and family members. Distinguished national icons such as Minister of State for Home Affairs and Deputy CM of Gujarat - Mr. Harsh Sanghvi, Renowned journalist and Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of India TV - Mr. Rajat Sharma, Olympic Boxing Legend MC Mary Kom, Entrepreneur & Shark Tank India Judge Vineeta Singh, and Tennis Sensation Sania Mirza, graced the convocation ceremony as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honors respectively, and offered their thoughts and encouragement to the graduating class.

At this year’s convocation ceremony, the university also recognised a socially relevant initiative that has positively impacted communities. Parul University worked with rural women artisans to produce more than 16,000 handcrafted Khadi scarves for the graduating students. In addition to providing an income source to the women, it enhanced their skill levels. It also helped preserve the heritage of Khadi India while advancing rural livelihoods as well as furthering the country’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make in India’ campaigns.

The highlight of the event was the felicitation of the outstanding achievers across all disciplines. This year’s celebrations spotlighted the 104 Gold Medalists and 44 Certificate of Merit awardees. The President’s Medal was presented to 3 distinguished alumni who had brought remarkable honour to the university through their professional achievements and 3 startups for their entrepreneurial spirit. Furthermore, the event also recognised a distinguished cohort of 135 PhD scholars and presented them with awards for their excellent research achievements and academic excellence. The awards reflect not only the excellence but also the dedication and perseverance of the graduate Class of 2025.

Renowned journalist & and Chairman and the Editor-in-Chief of India TV, Mr. Rajat Sharma, gave an inspiring speech, emphasising the importance of public responsibility, ethics and truth. He drew on his extensive experience in journalism and shared, “Challenges will come. There will be battles. You will experience pain and suffering. But the key is to never lose that smile from your face.” He also said there are no shortcuts to success and even if the procedure is long, it will be worth it. “Whenever in life you come across a person from whom you can learn like Mary Kom, Vineeta Singh, or Sania Mirza, take that opportunity,” is what he advised to the students.

MC Mary Kom, the Olympic Boxing Champion and an icon of Indian sport, carried forward the tremendous energy of the event with her inspirational presence. During her exclusive talk session, she shared, “Confidence is something we cannot take from others, we cannot buy it. You have to build it on your own. If you don’t build your confidence, then what will you achieve?” During her convocation address she said, “It’s easy to count on fingers how much you’ve won, but when you count it physically and mentally, it’s very hard. Similarly, the students sitting here, earning a degree is not an easy job and you’ve done it all brilliantly, in different departments. I’m so glad to be a part of this celebration of this success. This is just the beginning. You might think you’ve done it all and it’s over but it’s not. It’s just a beginning and now you’ll be faced with lots of challenges and all that matters is how you overcome it. Your future is just starting.”

Vineeta Singh, Judge of Shark Tank India, brought a huge dose of entrepreneurial motivation and encouragement to the students. She encouraged the students to create something valuable through their creativity and hard work. Her advise to the students was, “Failure is the entry fee you need to pay for success. We have to pay it all the time.” She also added that, “It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey. There is not such thing as a loss. Only those who believe they’ve lost, lose.” She left students with an advise, “I want you all to take a moment and breathe. Breathe because you also have to remember you come from a country that is build on creating solutions from scratch, hard work, and dedication.”

Tennis legend Sania Mirza spoke about how important it is to be dedicated to your career and be able to balance your life, and to keep fighting through obstacles. She said, “you are stepping into a very new and probably very scary possibility.” Additionally, she also advised the students, “It is important to always remember that no matter how many failures you face, no matter how many rejections you face; there will always be a next day as long as you want one. Sports taught me that life lesson.” Further, she left the students with simple message to respect parents and that we are nothing without them. She also said, ““Achieve whatever and whenever it is that you decide to dream. No matter what you decide your dream will be, you are the future of our country.”

Dr Devanshu Patel, President of Parul University, gave a keynote address during the convocation ceremony that encouraged the graduates. “Remember that belief can exist even when answers do not. Remember that growth takes time. And remember that as long as you are willing to learn, adapt, and persevere, possibility remains alive. Wherever life takes you, carry this belief with you: Yahan Possible Hai. Your dreams are possible. Your journey is valid. Your future is still unfolding.” he said.

The celebration was extraordinary, and the students were filled with heartfelt emotions. While many of the students on that day were rejoicing in that moment of celebrating the end of one chapter of their lives, they also acknowledged that this was only the beginning of another. Through this successful 9th convocation ceremony, Parul University reaffirms its efforts to continue to empower young minds and develop leaders who make meaningful contributions to the world.