Ashoka University Convocation 2025: A Celebration of Knowledge, Spirit, and New Beginnings

Ashoka University’s Convocation Ceremony 2025 was a joyful and emotional event, celebrating the achievements of graduating students in the presence of their loved ones. Families, friends, and faculty came together to honour the hard work, resilience, personal growth and dreams of the Class of 2025.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, a symbol of knowledge, inspiration, and new beginnings, by Chancellor, Professor Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Somak Raychaudhury, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Pramath Raj Sinha, and the Chief Guest, Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Laureate.

Professor Mukherjee officially declared the convocation open, offering warm congratulations to the graduates and their families. He said, “Today is a very special day for the students who are here, their parents, relatives and friends. In the hurly burly of the university’s life, the day of the convocation is when we all come together in a proud and celebratory mood. Today is the day to rejoice as a fresh batch of our students leave the portals of Ashoka University and step into the wider world and its realities. As you cross the thresholds, I urge you to use all that you have learned in Ashoka, make yourselves responsible citizens who work to fashion a better future.”

A stirring musical performance by graduating students on Tu Jhoom followed. With soaring vocals and meditative rhythms, it set a powerful emotional tone for the event.

Professor Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor, then took the podium to commend the achievements of both the students and the university over the past year. “Today is a moment of pride for all of us. We honour the achievements of our graduating students who have demonstrated not just academic excellence but also creativity, resilience, curiosity and courage. This moment is the culmination of their pretty long journey with us. It is also the beginning of what I hope will be a lifetime of learning and meaningful impact for society at large. This last year has been marked by significant milestones for the university as we have celebrated the 10th year of this really fledgling university both in scale and in substance.”

The Vice-Chancellor also spoke about the moments of struggle and pain throughout the year. “ “I shall be failing in my duties if I do not pay my tributes to honour the lives of our dear students, four of them, Sidharth G, Dhruvajyoti Sahu, Vignesh Shankar, and Sanya Chandra, who we lost during the last year. We stand by all members of the Ashoka community and their families at all times,” he affirmed.

His message to the graduating class was clear and inspiring: “I look forward to a future shaped by Ashoka’s graduates, becoming leaders, thinkers, artists, researchers, citizens, spread across all over the country and the world. My heartiest congratulations to the Class of 2025. Go forth with confidence and conviction, the world awaits your brilliance!”

Dr Pramath Raj Sinha, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, congratulated the graduating students, calling it an emotional moment for all. He then spoke about what he found most inspiring in the Chief Guest of the ceremony, Sir Paul Nurse, calling him “perhaps the best-suited and wonderful role model” for students to look up to as they graduate.

Sir Paul Nurse, Director of the Francis Crick Institute, Chancellor of the University of Bristol and the winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, delivered a deeply insightful and memorable keynote address. While congratulating all the graduating students, he said, “Graduation ceremonies are one of the most important occasions in the life of a university. It takes a lot of work to do well studying for a degree. You should be proud of yourselves.”

He acknowledged the significance of the transition, saying, “It’s a time of change, a time of transition, perhaps of nostalgia, even some sadness. But you are about to embark on a new phase of your life. One that will be exciting, full of possibilities. And wherever you go, whatever you do, remember what you have learned here.

He urged graduates to keep thinking critically, value freedom of expression, and uphold the pursuit of truth. His advice was simple yet profound, “remain curious, embrace causes, care about the world and keep a sense of humour, “a day without laughter is a day wasted. He closed his address by quoting British scientist Max Perutz: “Never follow the advice of your elders.”

The awarding of degrees to the graduates, cheered on by family, friends, and faculty, was the highlight of the afternoon. Each student walked the stage filled with pride and hope, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

This was followed by another musical performance, Jhini, a soulful composition by Indian Ocean inspired by the poetry of 15th-century mystic poet Kabir, offering a reflective moment with its rich, contemplative tones.

After the final round of degree conferrals, the Ashoka Oath was led by Chancellor Professor Rudrangshu Mukherjee, a longstanding tradition marking a collective promise to uphold the values of the university into the wider world.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Eshwara Venkatesam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor. He acknowledged the faculty, staff, support teams, and families who made the day possible, and addressed the graduating class with these words, “ While your time here as students has come to an end, your journey as alumni is just beginning. We encourage you to return, contribute and support the university that has helped shape your path. Share your experiences and insights by mentoring future generations of students from this university. Your guidance will be invaluable to them.”

Convocation 2025 was more than just a ceremony, it was a celebration of growth, a moment of reflection, and the beginning of a new journey for the Class of 2025.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! The journey begins now.