Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 10: Nitte (Deemed to be University) hosted the first of its two-part 15th Annual Convocation, marking a pivotal moment for 1,355 graduates from the Mangaluru campus.
The sprawling Nitte Grounds at the KSHEMA campus in Deralakatte was filled with pride and anticipation as doctoral, postgraduate, and undergraduate students received their degrees, officially transitioning into their professional lives.
The day's proceedings were anchored by the presence of chief guest, Prof Dr Srinath Reddy K, chancellor, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Institute and former head of cardiology, AIIMS, New Delhi.
A Call to Lifelong Inquiry and Social Responsibility
Following the warm welcome delivered by the vice-chancellor, Prof Dr M S Moodithaya, who lauded the graduating cohort for their resilience and academic achievements, Dr Reddy delivered the convocation address. Drawing on his vast experience in public health and institutional leadership, he charged the new graduates with embracing a mission beyond personal success.
“The highest degree you receive today is not the scroll in your hand, but the degree of responsibility you now hold for the society that nurtured you,” Dr Reddy stated, urging the assembled graduates to become active participants in solving complex global challenges, particularly in healthcare and technology. “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is now threatening the lives everywhere in the world. Over the next 25 years AMR will kill 40 million people more than the double the number that died in the first world war. We must now limit ourselves to treating the illness but must also prevent disease through system wide reform,” he suggested.
Posthumous DSc for Institutional Visionary
A poignant highlight of the ceremony was the conferring of the doctor of science (DSc) Honoris Causa, awarded posthumously to the late Dr Madhukar Shantharam Kekre. The honour recognized Dr Kekre’s profound and enduring contributions to medical education, research, and institutional development, a legacy that continues to shape Nitte University's commitment to excellence. The award was received by his family to a standing ovation from the audience.
Degrees Conferred Across Diverse Faculties
The Mangaluru ceremony saw degrees conferred across a wide spectrum of disciplines, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, allied health sciences, humanities, biological sciences, architecture, speech & hearing, and hospitality management.
The event concluded with blessings and congratulations from the dignitaries, including Prof Dr M Shantharam Shetty, pro-chancellor (Hospital Management), and Vishal Hegde, Pro-chancellor (Administration), alongside senior university officials.