Convocation ceremonies of two varsities held in Kolhapur

Kolhapur: Motivational speaker Gyanvatsal Swami of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha urged students to begin their postgraduation journeys with confidence and a sense of responsibility at the 14th convocation of Dr D Y Patil Deemed University on Tuesday.A total of 741 students received bachelor's and master's degrees, including 17 gold medallists and 14 PhD recipients. "Young friends with degrees, postgraduate degrees and PhDs, your new life begins now. Ahead lie opportunities, career choices and social as well as personal challenges. A positive attitude and self-belief are essential to succeed. There is no greater joy than the happiness you create," he said.Tanvi Sanjay Desai was awarded a gold medal for her contributions to research. The event was attended by chancellor Sanjay D Patil, vice-chancellor of Dr Datta Meghe University (Wardha) Vedprakash Sharma, former MLA Ruturaj Patil and trustees of DY Patil Group.Swami also encouraged students to widen their aspirations. "Indian youth possesses tremendous intellectual wealth. With dedication and a spirit of service, India will emerge as a developed nation and global leader by 2047," he said.Chancellor Patil said since 1984, more than five lakh students completed higher education from Dr DY Patil institutions and were contributing in various fields. He emphasised the university's commitment to the overall upliftment of society.Meanwhile, the 31st convocation of Govt Polytechnic, Kolhapur was also held on Tuesday, where 428 students received diploma certificates across various disciplines, including 82 in architecture, 105 in mechanical engineering, 47 in electrical engineering, 61 in information technology, 118 in nuclear power and telecommunications, 13 in metallurgy and two in industrial nuclear power.Entrepreneur Sameer Parikh, the chief guest, advised students to focus on continuous skill development to stay relevant in an evolving technological landscape. "Only by consistently upgrading your skills can you find your place in the AI-driven world. Approach problems positively to develop solutions through experience. While the IT sector is shifting towards AI, the manufacturing sector still offers vast opportunities," he said, adding that India ranked second only to China in casting.