Gandhinagar: The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr Bhupendra Patel, awarded medals and degree certificates to 142 meritorious graduating students and PhD scholars at Pandit Deendayal Energy University at its 9th convocation on PDEU campus on Monday evening. In all 1563 students were awarded their degree certificates.

The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Hardeep S Puri, and PDEU President, Dr Mukesh Ambani, addressed the graduating students, scholars, their parents and the academic fraternity through online mode in the presence of the Chief Minister, Gujarat Education Minister, Mr Jitu Vaghani, Gujarat Minister of State for Education Kuberbhai Dindor, the PDEU Chairman of the Standing Committee, Dr Hasmukh Adhia (IAS, retd), the PDEU Director General, Dr S Sundar Manoharan, and a host of dignitaries from academia and industry. The convocation was also webcast live on https://estv.in/pdeu/ .

PDEU Director General, Dr S Sundar Manoharan said the university distinguished itself in energy education, research innovation and entrepreneurship which resulted in the Government of Gujarat recognising PDEU as a Center of Excellence. He said PDEU was expanding energy education by bringing manufacturing capabilities infrastructure on the campus in order to train energy soldiers for the nation.

In terms of Research and Consultancy he informed the gathering that British Petroleum had awarded a research consultancy to PDEU to support women in technologies. The faculty members of PDEU worked hard to submit the different projects and through the funding agencies they brought 61 funded projects this year.

Referring to the “Study in India” initiative, Dr Manoharan said that the PDEU had been the front runner in this programme. Students from 29 countries are presently enrolled for four-year Arts, Science, Management and Technology courses. So far PDEU has hosted 425 students from 40 countries on its campus. 

Dr Manoharan thanked Dr Mukesh Ambani for being the force behind the transformative journey of the university from petroleum to energy. Sor far, more than 7600 students have graduated from PDEU and the university’s never ending quest for excellence in teaching learning and experience continues.

PDEU President, Dr Mukesh Ambani said, the batch passing out holds a special place in the heart of PDEU family for they endured and stayed with the PDEU faculty and staff during the trying years 2020 and 2021 amid pandemic. But they were also graduating in a year that has opened new possibilities for them and society.

PDEU has never been just an educational institution but also a beloved family. A family that shares a vision of making India a strong and centralized nation. He pointed out that PDEU was ranked as the number one Private University in Gujarat. Even during the hard times of Covid19, PDEU students continued their learning through digital platforms. He also congratulated the entire PDEU faculty for their hard work and dedication during such hard times. 

Dr Ambani said he was impressed with the pace at wich PDEU had grown: from just 132 students in 2009 to 1563 students are graduating today. He expressed the hope that students are all set to spread their wings and conquer the world. “Each one of you will cherish the time spend at PDEU… hearty congratulations to the Class of 2021.”

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Govt. of India, Shri Hardeep S Puri began his address by acknowledging the present dignitaries, officials, faculties, staff and students present at the event and expressed his delight at being a part of the convocation. Mr Puri said that the university revamping its identity from Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University to Pandit Deendayal Energy University signified the nation’s direction on the path towards meeting our energy needs. Mr Puri then spoke of the various achievements of the university in innovation and excellence in the area of solar energy, geothermal energy, biofuel, bioenergy drilling and a host of other areas.

The minister went on to describe the scenario of energy needs and consumption at the national and global levels, emphasised how the importance of self-reliance in energy production and talked about the strides India was taking in this sector and how India will become a superpower in the energy production and exportation within a few more years. Mr Puri also highlighted the importance of convocation in every student’s life, congratulated all the students graduating from the four departments of the university, and hopefully spoke of the illustrious youth of today responsibly handling their duties to the nation tomorrow.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Mr Bhupendra Bhai Patel welcomed the students to the convocation and applauded them for having come this far in their academic journey. Hon’ble Chief Minister spoke of the significance convocation holds from the days of Ramayan and Mahabharat and how it heralds a milestone in the lives of every student. He motivated the students to work toward nation-building and ensure that they play their part in the progress of the state and the nation. Mr Patel praised PDEU for all of its achievements in research and innovation and emphasised that revolution in the energy sector was the need of the hour. Mr Patel then concluded by congratulating the graduating students once again and expressing how they will be the pride of our nation in the days to come. 

Pandit Deendayal Energy University, popularly known as PDEU and accredited with NAAC with a high “A” grade, has been established through the State Act enacted on April 4, 2007. The university offers programmes to address the need for trained human resources in the domains of science, technology, management, humanities and social sciences. Currently, more than 5000 students and research scholars are pursuing academics at the university in their areas of interests which include engineering and cutting edge technologies in nuclear, solar and geothermal energy, business management and liberal studies. The university has initiated activities to bring international flavour on the campus and help its students become global citizens. To this end, PDEU hosts students from abroad and sends out own students as part of its International Exposure Programme.