Sonipat (Haryana) [India], August 12 (HBTV): In an unprecedented honour for O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), five Governors of Indian states participated in the 14th Annual Convocation 2025 held during July 29-30, 2025. Their presence, each representing a different state or Union Territory, elevated the occasion as JGU celebrated the spirit of federalism enshrined in the Constitution of India, which sustains the country’s democracy.

The convocation marked the graduation of over 4,400 students across all 12 schools and institutes of the university, in the presence of several distinguished leaders and dignitaries. The five Governors attending the ceremonies were Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi; Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha; Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Bihar; Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer, Governor of Andhra Pradesh; and Shiv Pratap Shukla, Governor of Himachal Pradesh. Other prominent figures included Justice Gita Mittal, Chairperson of the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council and former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir; Ravneet Kaur, Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India; R. Venkataramani, Attorney General for India; and Dr. Wilima Wadhwa, Director of the ASER Centre at Pratham Education Foundation. Also present were Ina Krisnamurthi, Ambassador of Indonesia to India, and Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen, Ambassador of Denmark to India and Non-Resident Ambassador (Designate) to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

Chancellor Naveen Jindal, whose philanthropy led to the establishment of JGU in 2009, said that having five Governors preside over the convocation was a moment of national recognition for the university’s journey, values, and aspirations. He extended gratitude to the Chief Guests and Guests of Honour, describing their participation as a testament to their commitment to higher education. Addressing graduates, he spoke of the transformative era they are entering, shaped by rapid advancements in technology and global change. Degrees and qualifications, he said, open doors, but integrity, compassion, and cooperation ultimately determine success. Education, he emphasised, is not just a tool for personal growth but the foundation of a nation’s prosperity, and the quietest acts of leadership often have the greatest impact.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, highlighted the university’s role in addressing national challenges through academic freedom and institutional excellence. He noted that JGU now has over 16,000 students across 12 schools, with faculty from 51 countries and students from more than 75 nations. The university has partnered with over 550 institutions in more than 80 countries to bring global experiences to Indian higher education. JGU’s research, pedagogy, and interdisciplinary curriculum aim to foster collaborative thinking and learning.

The Governors expressed a shared vision for higher education and its role in shaping responsible leaders. Vinai Kumar Saxena remarked on the Delhi-NCR region’s emergence as India’s intellectual capital, home to leading universities including JGU. Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati called this a defining moment for India, marked by advances in science, technology, health, and education, but grounded in moral values such as truth, compassion, and tolerance—qualities he said JGU embodies. Arif Mohammed Khan spoke about the deep-rooted values of Indian culture, including respect for parents and teachers, public service as an act of worship, and the importance of inner growth. Justice (Retd.) S. Abdul Nazeer stressed that education is a foundation for nation-building and that convocation marks the beginning of a new chapter in graduates’ lives, calling on them to contribute meaningfully to society. Shiv Pratap Shukla congratulated the families of graduates, describing education as a force capable of transforming lives.

Guests of Honour also lauded JGU’s achievements and global standing. Justice Gita Mittal praised the university’s global collaborations and its ability to broaden student perspectives by engaging with leading academics. Attorney General R. Venkataramani described a university as a modern gurukul, nurturing values and noble thoughts. Ravneet Kaur spoke of the graduates’ role in shaping India’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047. Dr. Wilima Wadhwa urged graduates to take responsibility for the world they inherit, remain adaptable, and give back to society. Ambassador Ina Krisnamurthi commended JGU as a beacon in higher education, noting its achievements in rankings, interdisciplinary focus, and societal impact. Ambassador Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen highlighted the strong ties between Denmark and India in democracy, sustainability, and innovation, and expressed hope that JGU’s new partnership with the University of Copenhagen will enhance opportunities for academic exchange.

(HBTV)