Dr. G. Viswanathan, Chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), stressed the critical role of education in transforming India into a developed nation by 2047 during the university’s 40th Convocation Ceremony on Saturday. Supreme Court Justice R. Mahadevan served as the chief guest, conferring degrees to 8,310 undergraduates, 2,802 postgraduates, and 451 doctoral recipients. Additionally, 68 students were awarded gold medals for outstanding achievements, and 203 were recognized for their rankings. Notable attendees included Tamil Nadu Police Academy Director DGP Sandeep Rai Rathore, who received a Ph.D. in Disaster Management, and Times of India CEO Sivakumar Sundaram as guest of honor. Student hostels named after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Jagadish Chandra Bose were inaugurated during the event.
Dr. Viswanathan highlighted India’s education expenditure, urging allocation of 6% of GDP, compared to the current 3%. He called for expanded higher education infrastructure to achieve a 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio. Stressing ethical responsibility, he urged students to fight corruption and black money, while enhancing India’s global competitiveness in education.
Industry experts said the focus on higher education and skill development could boost local talent pipelines, increase employability, and stimulate demand for educational services and allied sectors, supporting the city’s growing economy. Justice Mahadevan lauded VIT’s integration of technology in academics and research, emphasizing ethical values and continuous learning as essential for India’s progress.