Reinventing In The Age Of AI: Key Message From MAHE Alumnus At The 33rd Convocation

On the second day of the convocation, 1,651 students were awarded degrees.

A total of 48 students received PhD degrees.

Gold medals were awarded to 3 students across various streams.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, continued its 33rd Convocation celebrations at Manipal on Saturday 22 November 2025, reaffirming its dedication to preparing capable graduates, driving innovation, and championing excellence across diverse domains. The occasion was graced by the presence of senior leadership of the University including Mrs. Vasanti R. Pai, Trustee of MAHE and Pro Chancellor Dr. H.S. Ballal. On Day two, 1,651 students received their degrees, including 48 PhD awardees, while 3 exceptional students were honored with the prestigious Dr. TMA Pai Gold Medal.

Delivering the convocation address as the chief guest, Bikram Singh Bedi, Vice President, Asia Pacific Strategic Initiatives, Google Cloud, emphasized the importance of reinventing oneself in the age of AI. “Further he remarked that the graduates were entering an extraordinary moment in history, with artificial intelligence transforming every industry. The challenges of AI and emerging technologies go beyond technical, medical, or management expertise; they are ethical, social, and deeply human, requiring thoughtful and responsible action. In this context, he urged the graduates to, “Don't just build or use technology. Do it responsibly. Don’t just ask "Can we build this, or Can we use this?" but also ask "Should we build this, or should we use this?" Use your skills not just for personal success, but for societal progress.

As a proud MAHE alumnus, reflecting on his journey from Manipal to leading major technology initiatives across Asia, he observed that MAHE equips its graduates not just with knowledge, but with the skills to tackle unprecedented challenges in today’s rapidly evolving AI-driven world. Drawing on his three decades of experience across technology, startups, and leadership, he noted that a career is never a straight path: it is filled with challenges, changes, and opportunities to reinvent oneself. In this age of constant technological transformation”, he highlighted that the key to a successful career lies in the ability to continuously reinvent oneself.

This call to reinvent to meet contemporary needs reflects the transformative vision of Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, who outlined a bold and future-ready roadmap rooted in innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and uncompromising academic excellence. Highlighting the research-intensive nature of the university, he affirmed MAHE’s commitment to inclusivity, supporting the local community, and fostering technology incubators. He emphasized the university’s role in driving a better and greener tomorrow through research and innovation, while staying attuned to the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities of the AI revolution.

Building on this vision of excellence and innovation, the ceremony also recognized individual achievements, honoring four outstanding students with the prestigious Dr. TMA Pai Gold Medal 2025. Rashi Goel from MIT Manipal (B. Tech Computer Science and Engineering), Neha Sreekumar from MCON Manipal (B.Sc. Nursing), and Mandira from MIC Manipal (BA Media & Communication) were recognised for their exceptional achievements in their respective fields.

The gold medalists shared their joy, reflecting on journeys marked by moments of doubt, long nights of hard work, and an unwavering determination to keep trying. For them, the medals represent resilience, creativity under pressure, and the belief that pushing forward, no matter how challenging, makes all the difference. They also expressed their gratitude to the alma mater for providing an environment of mentorship and opportunities that helped transform persistence into excellence.

The 33rd Convocation’s second day recognized the outstanding accomplishments of MAHE’s graduates, highlighting the institution’s commitment to shaping versatile, responsible, and inventive leaders for a future shaped by AI and technological change. The ceremony concluded on a warm and uplifting note, as students, families, faculty and guests looked ahead to the next day’s events, eager for more moments of pride and recognition.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life.

Photo Captions: MAHE’s senior leadership—Mrs. Vasanti R. Pai, Dr. H.S. Ballal, and Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh—felicitated chief guest Bikram Singh Bedi during Day 2 of the MAHE's 33rd Convocation.