The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), Former Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, who attended as the Chief Guest. Addressing the graduating students, he shared advice intended to guide them as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.
“Your compass is competence. Your anchor is character. Your sail is courage. And your course is guided by dharma. Somaiya Vidyavihar University has given you more than a professional education; it has given you the opportunity to encounter different disciplines. Carry that breadth with you. Do not become merely employable. Become useful. Do not become merely successful. Become significant. And do not ask only, ‘What can I get from India?’ Ask also, ‘What can I give to India?’” said Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.).
At Somaiya Vidyavihar University, students have opportunities to explore interests beyond their primary fields of study. Through initiatives such as the 120+ Basket Courses, more than 4,000 students have participated in credit-bearing courses covering sports, literature, languages, nature, aesthetic arts, Indian knowledge systems and spiritual traditions. An engineering student can study Indian philosophy, while a commerce student can pursue swimming or yoga as part of the academic programme.
Through the REACH Fellowship, students have also spent months in rural Maharashtra and Gujarat, engaging with local communities and developing community-led solutions to challenges including water stewardship and sustainable development.
For other students, learning has involved translating classroom ideas into practical applications. Orion Racing India has developed more than 20 race cars and participated in over 30 national and international competitions, with successive student teams building on the work of their predecessors.
The University’s 10+ research centres offer opportunities to work across disciplines, including computational chemistry, biology, materials science, artificial intelligence and environmental research. Through riidl and BioRiidl, more than 380 entrepreneurs have received support, with INR 198 crore in total investments facilitated.
Sports also form part of student life, with training available across 22 sports. More than 10,000 students pursue sports, while over 3,500 represent the institution at district, state, national and international levels. These opportunities include participation in events such as the FISU World University Squash Championship, where Somaiya students represented India at the international university level.
Together, these experiences reflect the University’s guiding philosophy, ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम् — Knowledge Alone Liberates. Its educational approach encourages students to think critically, explore different disciplines and apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.
The question of what students carry with them after graduation also featured prominently in the address by Samir Somaiya, Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University. Speaking to the graduating class, he shared a traditional Sanskrit blessing that he said captured some of the qualities he hoped they would carry into the next phase of their lives.
“बुद्धिर्बलं यशोधैर्यं निर्भयत्वमरोगताम् । अजाड्यं वाक्पटुत्वं च हनुमत्स्मराणाद्भवेत् ॥”
Explaining the blessing, he said, “May the Almighty give you wisdom; strength; patience; fearlessness; good health; alertness and clarity of thought; and eloquence in speech.”
Samir Somaiya then outlined the kind of education the University seeks to provide through three central ideas: skills, thinking and character.
“We've always wanted to build what we call Pesha, Soch, aur Charitra, a fantastic skillset in your chosen field, a wide world of thinking, and strong character,” he said.
Prof. Ajay Kapoor, Vice-Chancellor, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, urged the graduates to connect their abilities and interests with a broader social purpose.
“Find something you are passionate about, something that is also your natural skill. Bring them together and solve society's problems. Do something that society, humanity, people need today and tomorrow. The fundamentals are very simple: if you do something that people want, people will hold you in high esteem. They will need you. They will pay for what you are providing. That gives you a living and a very, very fulfilling life,” he said.
His message positioned education as more than preparation for a profession. The university years, he suggested, can help students identify their strengths, understand what motivates them and determine how their abilities can address practical needs.
He also placed this advice in the context of a rapidly changing world in which technology is transforming how knowledge is accessed and used.
“Artificial intelligence will give you all the knowledge, much faster, much better organised, on anything you desire. But it is the wisdom, the Gyan, that you have to develop,” he added.
For the 3,279 graduates of the Class of 2026, the University’s 5th Convocation marked the conclusion of one academic chapter and the beginning of another. Alongside their degrees, they take forward the experiences, relationships and perspectives developed during their time at the institution.
The ceremony reinforced Somaiya Vidyavihar University's philosophy, ज्ञानादेव तु कैवल्यम् — Knowledge Alone Liberates, emphasising the role of education in shaping individuals who can apply their learning, develop sound judgement and contribute meaningfully to society.
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