Ahmedabad, 6 December 2025: Anant National University recently hosted the 7th
Convocation, conferring degrees on 299 students from the Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of
MSc in Sustainability and Built Environment and Anant Fellowship in Climate Action. Padma
was the Chief Guest. Mr Ajay Piramal, President, Anant National University, Dr Sanjeev
Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University, and the members of the board were present
during the convocation.
Dr Sridhar Vembu co-founded Zoho Corporation in 1996 and served as the company’s CEO
from 2000 to 2024. In 2025, he assumed the role of Chief Scientist to focus on deep-tech
R&D, particularly in AI development. Zoho Corporation has emerged as the largest software
product company in India while pursuing a unique set of choices that span hiring, training,
product strategy, location and customer satisfaction, all driven by a holistic philosophy that
puts contentment and humility as key virtues.
Addressing Anant graduands during his convocation address, Dr Vembu said, “Coming to
Anant National University has truly been a joy. The creativity and purpose-driven designs by
Anant students blew my mind. I saw remarkable work, the kind of innovation our nation
urgently needs. We often celebrate the achievements of our past, yet rarely do we pause to
honour what we are building in the present. We must think beyond our own lifetimes and
create for the future, and Anant is clearly teaching its students to do exactly that. Good
design elevates the soul and spirit, and I have seen that spirit alive across this campus. Keep
dreaming, stay young, stay relevant. When you suspend your ego and stop trying to make a
statement, you often end up making your most powerful one. Focus on the problem, and
extraordinary work will follow.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ajay Piramal, President, Anant National University, said,
“Design gives us the tools to reimagine industries, rebuild communities and renew our
environment. It is how we transition from ‘Make in India’ as an aspiration to ‘Design for
India’ as a philosophy, one rooted in creativity, craftsmanship and care. At Anant National
University, we see ourselves as a part of this national mission. We are not just teaching
design, we are helping young people apply it to life, to society and to the challenges of our
time. We are helping them turn creativity into careers that make a difference, careers that
build, repair and renew the world around us.”
Congratulating the graduands, Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University,
shared, “As you enter this new chapter of your life, remember that there couldn’t have been
a better time to begin this journey. India stands in a moment of remarkable opportunity. We
are growing, innovating and moving with purpose toward becoming Viksit Bharat within just
a few decades. And you will be the builders of that India. An India that is sustainable,
inclusive and globally recognised. An India where design thinking shapes governance,
industry and everyday life for all citizens.”
The ceremony also recognised exceptional students across different categories spanning all
programmes, including Academic Excellence, Outstanding Academic Performance, Best
Innovation, Best Graduation Project, Best Thesis, Best Live-Action Project and Best Student.
For the Convocation Ceremony, the university campus transformed into a dynamic
exhibition space, with galleries, auditoriums and studios displaying student projects,
celebrating their journey of innovation and dedication.
In the past, convocations at Anant National University have been graced by Padma Bhushan
and Padma Shri awardee Mrs Sudha Murty, Padma Vibhushan Shri B V Doshi, Padma
Bhushan Shri N Chandrasekaran and Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri R N Ravi.
