The Graduation ceremony of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi campus, was held on September 5, 2018, at the School of Arts and Sciences, Kochi campus. Four hundred and thirty-eight undergraduate, post-graduate, M. Phil. and Ph. D. students, belonging to the Amrita School of Arts & Sciences, received their degrees at the ceremony. The chief guest of the event was Dr. P. T. Mathew, Chief General Manager of BSNL South Zone for the development of National Optical Network under the digital India Program of Government of India.

The Graduation Day Ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by both Swami Poornamritandapuri, General Secretary of Mata Amritanandamayi Math and Dr. P. T. Mathew. Dr. U. Krishnakumar, Director, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Kochi campus, welcomed the gathering. This was followed by a video in which Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), the Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, addressed the students. She gave the message to students to practice the knowledge and skills gained from the institution in their future life. She asked the students to think not only about their needs but also focus on what they can do for the well being of the world. She mentioned that the foundation of the growth of life depends on patience and one should perform their service with an open heart.

Swami Poornamritandapuri, General Secretary of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, blessed the occasion with his enlightening words. Swami Poornamritandapuri said, “Amrita is dedicated to providing qualified students to the world. It is important that what you are going to do from now on will have to benefit the whole society. It is important to do the right thing at the right time in the right manner.” He added, “The Universe is a university and we need to learn from the objects of the Universe. The students who are graduated today should be sensitive enough to listen to the stories told by the objects of the Universe.” Explaining the power and control of mind, he further added that it is easy to get the blessings of parents, teachers, friends and God, but it is difficult to get the blessings of our own mind with which we can become the emperor of the Universe.

Dr. P. T. Mathew, Chief General Manager of BSNL South Zone, in his graduation day address, said that one should never ever underestimate one’s abilities. He told the graduates, “All the powers are with you. You are the creator of your destiny. Therefore aim high, as the sky is the limit.” He added, “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as mistakes are lessons and failure is the stepping stone to success. It is important to learn from the mistakes to succeed in future life.” He quoted the words of Swami Vivekananda, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and Helen Keller in his speech to motivate the students. He said, “Show responsibility in your work and ensure that the organization always needs your service. Always practice the art of learning and continuous learning is required even after graduation.”

Dr. Bipin Nair, Dean, School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri campus, in his felicitation speech congratulated all the graduates, faculty members and staffs of the campus. Dr. K. P. S. Nair, Director of the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT), in his felicitation address, mentioned the duty of the students to serve the society with the skills and knowledge that they gained during their course and through proper method. He added, “The initial stage of career might be difficult. You will not be treated as sugar. However, you have to learn that salt is always better than sugar as insects will not attack salt.” Dr. N. Unnikrishnan Nair, the Former Vice-Chancellor of CUSAT and Academic Advisor in the Department of Mathematics, Amrita School of Arts & Sciences, Kochi, in his speech mentioned the students to continue the process of learning even after the graduation. Sunanda Muralidharan, Chairperson, Amrita School of Business, Kochi campus, in her felicitation speech, delivered the importance of dreams in life as they convert to thoughts, which in turn change to action.

Swami Poornamritandapuri administered the convocation oath to the graduates. Swami Poornamritandapuri and Dr. P. T. Mathew presented the award of degrees, medals of honor and certificates of merit to the Ph. D. awardees, M.Phil degree and rank holders. The occasion also honored Dr. M. R. Chithra, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Kochi campus, for the best paper award that she received in the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2018) held at Rio, Brazil, from August 1-9, 2018, and A. S. Mahesh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and I.T., Amrita School of Arts & Sciences, Kochi campus, for completing twenty years of his service in Amrita.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Sreenath Muraleedharan, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Kochi campus. The event concluded with the shanti mantra and national anthem.