SPJIMR Mumbai’s convocation ceremony, held on May 13, 2023, witnessed 548 participants graduating from six programmes in an eventful ceremony at its Mumbai campus. Mr. Deepak Parekh, Chairman, SPJIMR Governing Council, declared the ceremony open. SPJIMR Dean, Varun Nagaraj welcomed the gathering and spoke about the institute’s transition towards becoming a world-class institution with a focus on enhancing research output and community impact at scale. He said, “We need leaders, organisations, and society to innovate and scale wisely, with humility, inclusivity, and socio-environmental sensitivity. As a result, we have expanded our mission to include the Northstar of ‘advancing wise innovation’ – which is innovation that is done the right way for the right reasons and achieves the right outcomes.” Dean Nagaraj also highlighted the institute’s accomplishments over the last year and spoke about other significant initiatives.
Chief Guest Amit Chandra, Chairperson and Founder of Bain Capital India and Co-founder of A.T.E Chandra Foundation, was introduced by Mr. Deepak Parekh. During the introduction, Mr. Parekh shared interesting anecdotes about the chief guest and his professional journey. Mr. Chandra awarded the deserving participants Scholastic Medals for their outstanding achievements and delivered an inspiring convocation address. He shared his recipe for success with the participants and gave them the six R framework, which includes reason, resolute, relationships, righteousness, risks and returning and receiving. He noted, “To achieve greatness, it is important for us to have clarity on our sense of purpose. Having some social consciousness woven into it, makes it far more satisfying”.
As the participants received their Graduation Certificates and Dean’s Top Honours, SPJIMR faculty, professionals, and the graduates’ attending families and friends applauded them enthusiastically. The SPJIMR community congratulates our graduates and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.
Graduation Day is a time for reflection for graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. It is also a reminder of the institute’s commitment to providing world-class education and producing responsible future leaders who will impact our society positively.
17:30 pm | Convocation procession starts |
18:00 pm | Declaring the convocation open by Chairman, Governing Council, SPJIMR |
18:01 pm | Invocation prayer |
18:02 pm | Welcome address by the Dean, SPJIMR |
18:12 pm | Chairman’s address and introduction of the Chief Guest |
18:19 pm | Award of Scholastic Medals by the Chief Guest and Chairman |
18:22 pm | Convocation address by the Chief Guest |
18:37 pm | Award of Graduation Certificate and DTT Certificate |
20:27 pm | Conferring of oath by Dean, SPJIMR |
20:28 pm | Declaring the convocation closed by Dean, SPJIMR |
20:29 pm | National Anthem |
20:30 pm | Convocation process returns |
***This will be followed by the customary graduation day celebrations and dinner.
Chairperson and Founder, Bain Capital – India office,
Co-founder, A.T.E Chandra Foundation
Amit Chandra co-founded the ATE Chandra Foundation (ATECF) with his wife Archana. ATECF works closely with non-profits and governments to design and scale solutions that impact the most marginalised populations. The couple was listed in Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy list in 2016. Amit is the Chairperson and founder of Bain Capital’s India Office. Prior to this, he spent most of his professional career with DSP Merrill Lynch and retired as MD and Board Member in 2007.
He has been a trustee of the Tata Trusts, Chairperson of Give India and The Akanksha Foundation, and board member of Tata Sons, Piramal Enterprises, and Genpact, amongst other corporations. He is a founder/trustee of Ashoka University and a member of the advisory boards of Bridgespan India and the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy. Amit is a BE, MBA, and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2007.