NE EDUCATION BUREAU
CHENNAI, OCT 16
The 40th Convocation of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER) was held in Chennai on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey of academic excellence and innovation.
Delivering the convocation address and presenting 78 gold medals to meritorious students, Mr. Sridhar Vembu, Chief Scientist, Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd., inspired the graduating students with his call for self-reliance and technological sovereignty.
- Zoho Chief Scientist urges youth to build indigenous technologies and intellectual property for a stronger nation
- Emphasises that innovation and nation-building are in the hands of young minds
- University confers 1,871 degrees; 78 gold medals awarded for academic excellence
“We should make India self-reliant in all aspects,” Mr. Vembu said, emphasising that true national strength lies in creating and owning indigenous technologies. “Zoho was founded on the principle of self-reliance. While many of the technologies we use are designed by us, they are often controlled by other countries that fund them. To achieve true self-reliance, India must develop its own technologies and hold the intellectual property rights to them,” he stated.
Drawing examples from the tech world, Mr. Vembu highlighted how popular platforms like WhatsApp are controlled by foreign entities and cited Zoho’s homegrown alternative ‘Arattai’ as a step towards India’s digital independence. He urged students to think beyond conventional paths and innovate for India.
“In sectors like medical equipment, India still depends on imported technologies,” he observed. “These can be developed locally, providing cost-effective solutions that meet our own needs. If we want to improve our country, it is in the hands of the youngsters who possess the capabilities to bring about change,” he said, calling on the graduates to take charge of India’s future.
Mr. Vembu also revealed that Zoho plans to invest in biomedical technologies, identifying software, software technologies, and medical innovation as emerging areas with immense potential.
Chancellor Mr. V.R. Venkataachalam conferred degrees on 1,871 graduates, including Ph.D., postgraduate, and undergraduate students from various disciplines spanning medical, engineering, and management sciences. Pro Chancellor Mr. R.V. Sengutuvan joined him in distributing the certificates.
Presenting the Annual Report, Vice Chancellor Dr. Uma Sekar highlighted that during the academic year 2024–25, more than 9,542 students were enrolled across 15 constituent faculties, including 44 international and NRI students, as well as Ph.D. scholars.
She noted that the university has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading global institutions such as St. John Fisher University (Rochester, USA), University of Saskatchewan (Canada), University of Cyberjaya (Malaysia), and University of Nizwa (Oman) to facilitate research collaboration, faculty and student exchange programmes, and dual degrees.
Further collaborations have been established with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Drug Research Institute (New Delhi), and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (Pune).
Dr. Sekar also mentioned that 68 extramurally funded research projects worth a cumulative Rs. 58 crores are currently in progress, supported by prestigious national and international agencies such as DST, ICMR, ICSSR, DHR, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, NIHR-UK, and the US NIH.
Among the dignitaries present were UGC Nominee Dr. K.R. Ramesh, Dean (Medical College) Dr. K. Balaji Singh, Registrar Dr. S. Senthil Kumar, Controller of Examinations Dr. R. Padmavathi, Director (Finance & Accounts) Mr. J. Ravisankar, and other heads of departments.
The event concluded with the reaffirmation of the institution’s commitment to excellence in education and research, with a renewed focus on contributing to India’s journey toward self-reliance and innovation-driven growth.
