SRM’s 13th Convocation: Be open to ideas, Narayana Murthy tells students

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SRM Institute of Science & Technology’s 13th Convocation was held at its Kattankulathur Campus and Infosys Founder, Narayana Murthy, graced the event as the Chief Guest. Nearly 6150 under graduates in all disciplines of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology and 47 Doctoral students received their degrees. More than 50 students were awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for their academic achievements.

Sharing pearls of wisdom with students, Murthy called on the graduates to focus on becoming able managers with crucial attributes such as leadership by example with no suspect value system. “Mahatma Gandhi walked the talk. He won the trust, confidence and support of every Indian”, he said. The Infosys Founder called on the youngsters to develop a strong value system so as to energies people around them. “You have to be open to new ideas and be willing to learn new ideas and unlearn outdated ideas. You have to learn new cultures and paradigms. Age is not a factor for learning. Learn to question. The hierarchy of ideas is more important, not of men and women” he remarked.

The mentor of the Information Technology industry called on the graduating class to embrace team work and hard work. “No individual… possesses the skill of every task. Team work is extremely crucial. Please practice meritocracy and transparency in every one of your transactions”, sair Murthy adding that performance led to recognition which led to respect and finally power; and performance had the mix of hard work, smartness, honesty and integrity. The Infosys Founder also stressed on the need for good communication skills for it was important that others understood. “It is absolutely crucial to the success of every one of you” he added.

One of the highlights of the event was the conferment of the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) (Honoris Causa) on Padma Shri Dr. Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. Praising SRM Institute of Science & Technology from its modest beginning to a large multi-stream institution with a beautiful ambience, Dr. Basu maintained that he was receiving the Honorary Degree on behalf of all his colleagues. “India is a world leader in many areas” he said.

In his welcome address the President of SRM Institute of Science & Technology , Dr. R.P. Sathyanarayanan referred to Mr. Narayana Murthy as a “true inspiration” and the “Father of the Indian IT sector”. “There is a lot and so much to learn from Mr. Murthy”, Dr. Sathyanarayanan said going on to mention the Infosys Founder’s philantrophy especially in the realm of health care and education. The President recalled that in Mr. Narayana Murthy’s interaction with SRM students, the IT mentor called on students to solve not the problems of the western world but that of the problems of the common person in rural and urban India.

The Chancellor of SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar presided over the Convocation.