- Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research confers honorary Doctor of Letters on Devendra Fadnavis at its 17th convocation
- National Medical Commission Chairperson Dr Abhijat Sheth receives honorary Doctor of Science for contributions to medical education and public health
- University awards 2,320 degrees across 10 faculties, including 123 PhDs
- Academic honours comprise 123 gold medals, seven silver medals and 13 other prizes, presented to 83 awardees
- Poojal Devidas Mapari of Datta Meghe Medical College wins 23 medals for outstanding academic performance
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
NAGPUR/WARDHA (MAHARASHTRA), OCT 17
Calling on graduates to look beyond personal achievement and embrace their responsibility towards society, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the true measure of success lay not in how much money a person earned, but in how much they gave back. His message set the tone for the 17th convocation of the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research, where he received an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree on Saturday.
The ceremony, held at the deemed-to-be university in Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, was the first convocation since the institution was renamed from Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER). Dr Priti Adani, Chancellor of the university and Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, presided over the ceremony.
Dr Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), was conferred the honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree honoris causa in recognition of his contributions to medical education, healthcare governance and public health.
The convocation celebrated the achievements of 2,320 graduates across 10 faculties. The university also recognised academic distinction through 123 gold medals, seven silver medals and 13 other prizes, presented to 83 awardees. Poojal Devidas Mapari of Datta Meghe Medical College (DMMC) emerged as a standout achiever, receiving 23 medals.
‘Success is how much you give back’
Addressing the graduating students, Fadnavis underscored the social responsibility that accompanies education and professional achievement.
“It is society that created the institution through which you could graduate. That is why there is always a time to give back. The definition of success is not how much money you earn. The definition of success is how much you can give back,” he said.
In a lighter moment, the Chief Minister turned to the formidable academic effort represented by the gathering of doctoral graduates.
“When I look at all these PhD holders, I thank God I did not have to do all the hard work they did to earn the Ph.D.,” he remarked, drawing attention to the dedication required to pursue advanced research.
A convocation marking a new chapter
Welcoming the graduating students and their families, Dr Priti Adani described the occasion as a milestone for the university community, while paying tribute to its founder and the institution’s educational legacy.
“Today is a proud moment for our university community. For our students, their families and teachers, it marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. We also remember the late Datta Meghe, whose vision shaped this institution and whose contributions to education and healthcare continue to be part of its legacy,” she said.
The convocation marked the institution’s first such ceremony following its renaming as the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research. Its multidisciplinary academic structure brings together 10 constituent faculties and institutions spanning medical, dental, Ayurvedic, physiotherapy, nursing, allied health, pharmaceutical, engineering and other sciences.
2,320 degrees, 123 PhDs
The degrees awarded reflected the breadth of the university’s academic programmes, with 123 PhDs forming part of the graduating cohort. The awards also recognised high academic performance across disciplines, with 83 students receiving a total of 143 medals and other prizes.
The university’s academic portfolio includes Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Datta Meghe Medical College (DMMC), Sharad Pawar Dental College (SPDC), Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College and Research Centre (MGAC&RC), Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College (RNPC), Smt Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing (SRMMCON), the School of Allied Health Sciences (SAHS), Datta Meghe College of Pharmacy (DMCP), the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FEAT) and the School of Allied Sciences (SAS).
Dr Pankaj Rajesh Bhoyar, Minister of State in the Maharashtra Government, attended as a guest of honour. Other dignitaries included Dr Malay Mahadevia, Treasurer; Sagar Meghe, Trustee; and Dr Lalitbhushan Waghmare, Vice-Chancellor of the university.
From 100 medical students to a multidisciplinary university
Located at Sawangi Meghe in Wardha, approximately 80 km from Nagpur, the institution has grown from its beginnings with 100 medical students to a university with more than 14,000 students enrolled across over 260 multidisciplinary programmes.
Guided by the purpose “Learn and Lead”, it seeks to prepare students for meaningful careers while encouraging them to apply their knowledge and skills to wider societal needs. Its academic activities span education, research, innovation and community engagement, with programmes across health sciences and other disciplines.
The university established its first off-campus college in Nagpur in 2019. Its location provides road and rail connections to major cities, with air connectivity through Nagpur.
The institution holds an A++ accreditation grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which assesses and accredits higher education institutions in India.
The message emerging from the convocation was clear: academic qualifications can open doors, but their lasting value depends on how graduates use their knowledge, skills and opportunities to make a difference beyond themselves.