180 PGDM (Full-Time) Students, 24 students of the Working Executives
Programme and 3 PhD scholars were awarded
the graduation certificates.

The Vision of Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) is to prepare young minds and experienced managers to become competent
and socially responsible leaders of corporations and other institutions. In
this endeavour, one more batch of students successfully completed their courses
and IFMR held its Convocation function on 24th April 2016 at its
state-of-the-art SriCity campus, located 55km from Chennai. The event
started with the lighting of lamp by the Chief Guest Dr. Arvind Subramanian,
Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India, Padma Bhushan Narayanan Vaghul,
Chairman, Board of Governors, IFMR, President Mr C V Krishnan and Prof P K
Biswas, Director, IFMR.

Padma Bhushan Narayanan Vaghul, Chairman, Board of Governors, IFMR,
declared the Convocation Open and congratulated all the graduating students and
their proud parents and wished them all the best.

Prof. C. V. Krishnan, President, IFMR, delivered the welcome address, followed
by the presentation of Institute’s report by Dr P K Biswas, Director, IFMR.
Prof Biswas highlighted the events and activities by the students and also
various achievements by the institute which includes another year of 100%
placements with increase in the average salary and the award from ASSOCHAM for
being the best business school in CSR.  The Director also announced the
launch of new specializations in Data Sciences and BFSI (Banking-Financial
Services-Insurance) which are meticulously developed by IFMR with extensive
inputs from the Industry. With the strong need for trained management
professionals in Business Analytics, IFMR’s Data Sciences specialization shall
address this requirement with rigorous training of students on all the latest
concepts, technology and industry practices.

The graduation pledge was taken after the inaugural address and the
Chief Guest presented the Certificates to the graduating students. 180 PGDM
Students, 24 students of the Working Executives Programme and 3 PhD scholars
were awarded the graduation certificates.

The Chief Guest also honoured the meritorious students with the
following medals:

• A SIVASAILAM MEDAL for Meritorious
  performance – Ms Saisree Divya Nynaru of PGDM 2014-16
• C M KOTHARI MEDAL for Meritorious
  performance  –  Mr Sujith Devadas of PGDM 2013-16
• A M M ARUNACHALAM MEDAL for Meritorious
  Performance – Mr Abhinav Arasu of PGDM 2013-16
• Mr. Koushal V N of 2013-2016 won the
  medal for his meritorious performance  in PGDM 2013-16
• Ms. Saranya R won the medal for her
  meritorious performance in PGDM  2013-16

H T PAREKH MEDAL for Best Outgoing Student was given to Ms Swetha Raghu of PGDM 2014-16 for her all round performance in academics and co-curricular achievements.

Mr. Puspendu Datta, Vice President- Sales, DSP BlackRock Investment
managers Pvt. Ltd. was honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus award.

The most awaited Convocation address was delivered by the Chief Guest
Dr. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India. He
congratulated all the graduating students and gave valuable advice on the road
ahead. He congratulated the passing out batch and majorly spoke about the
status of Indian Economy and one important life lesson for the graduates.

He appreciated the good research, teaching and training undertaken by
IFMR and also made a remark that only few campuses like IFMR have the great
opportunity of locating themselves amidst industry like in Sricity.

He advised the students to stay away from the gloomy news and negativity
and suggested that despite challenges, this is going to be the golden age for developing
countries like India, where many economic indicators are very promising.
Compared to his graduation days, he claimed that the opportunities now are
wider and the future is going to be brighter, prosperous, dynamic and full of
opportunities.

He noted that while geographies
like China, Brazil, Middle East, Japan and Europe are coping with economic
difficulties, India is going ahead as a bright spot where inflation is going
down and the fiscal situation is under control and lot of green shoots of
recovery is visible. He also commended the Government on the ease of doing
business.  He commented that if we can
continue the good work, 8 to 10% growth is within the grasp.

Dr Arvind Subramanian also
gave an important life lesson to the graduates on facing failure. Though he is
perceived as a very successful person today, he commented that he has crossed
many failures like not getting into IAS, rejection of academic papers etc. and
he suggested the students not to get bogged down by failures and treat both
success and failures equally and quoted Rudyard Kipling and Gita.

He advised the students not
to forget the contributions of friends, parents and others in their growth and
concluded the speech with his best wishes for the students.

After the Vote of Thanks by Dr Lakshmi Kumar, Chairperson, PGDM
Programme, Mr Vaghul, Chairman, Board of Governors, IFMR, declared the
Convocation closed. The event ended with the National Anthem.