During the 45th graduation ceremony at St. Francis College for Women, Begumpet, former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu delivered a powerful address, emphasizing that a blend of ‘nature and culture’ is the key to a bright future for the young graduates.
He hailed the event as a significant ‘celebration of women’s educational empowerment,’ urging the newly minted graduates to embody the torchbearers of India’s legacy and its bright promise. Naidu underscored that their journey was not solely academic but deeply rooted in moral and cultural values.
The former Vice-President passionately called upon the students to safeguard their mother tongue as an essential aspect of their identity and to remain connected to India’s profound civilizational heritage, even as they readily adopt modern tools and advancements. He reminisced about India’s past as a Vishwaguru (global teacher) and articulated his belief that a ‘powerful convergence of ancient wisdom and modern technology’ holds the potential to propel the nation to unparalleled global educational leadership.
Beyond commending the students for their years of hard work and dedication as they embarked on new chapters, Mr. Naidu also lauded St. Francis College’s remarkable growth. Starting with just 15 students at its inception and now boasting a strength of over 3,400, the institution’s persistent expansion was highlighted as a testament to its commitment, acknowledging the vital nurturing support from both faculty and non-teaching staff.
A critical point of his address was the urgent need for skill-based education, ensuring that knowledge remains relevant and responsive to future societal and industry demands. He appreciated the college’s proactive approach in fostering industry-ready education through strategic collaborations and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with international universities and leading industry figures.
The ceremony also featured insights from distinguished guests, including Deepali Masirkar, Director in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and an alumna of the college, who shared nostalgic reflections and encouraged students to live with humility, purpose, and persistence.
K. Shashikanth, Controller of Examinations at Osmania University, emphasized India’s growing demand for innovators and entrepreneurs. He motivated students to cultivate innovation, adaptability, and critical thinking skills essential for thriving in today’s competitive landscape.
Rama Devi Lanka, Superintending Engineer at GHMC, addressed prevalent issues like gender bias and pay disparity. Highlighting the abundance of available resources and skills, she urged students to courageously break barriers and seize emerging opportunities, particularly in fields such as research and entrepreneurship, and advised them to explore rapidly developing sectors like semiconductors.
The prestigious event saw a total of 981 students proudly receive their degrees, with 58 outstanding students being honored with gold medals for their exceptional academic merit. Notably, Umaima Aijaz from the Arts stream secured three gold medals, while Nampally Supriya and G. Varsha from Commerce, and B. Aswini from Science, each earned an impressive four gold medals.
Principal T. Uma Joseph, along with the management, staff, and students, were in attendance, making the ceremony a memorable occasion for all.