The convocation ceremony of the second batch (2005-07) for the Post Graduate Diploma in Management of the IILM Institute for Higher Education Gurgaon, was held with great enthusiasm at the Institute on Wednesday, June 06, 2007. Convocation is a unique celebra- tion of the thought leadership of an academic institution. After completing two years at IILM Institute the graduating students saw their efforts translating into reality in an elegant function. It is always an emotionally charged occasion. On the one hand is the joy of completing a major step towards facing adult life on one's own while on the other a student is severing the formal link with early life. The protection and guid-ance - occasionally harsh – avail-able within the portals of an acad- emic institution are gone forever.

Prof. Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor of Delhi University was the chief guest for the conferring ceremony. Prof. Badal Mukherji, Director, IILM Institute for Higher Education Gurgaon, Dr. Padmakali Mishra, Dean, PGPX, respectable members of IILM Institute were present with guest of honour. The evening began with the 'lamp lighting ceremony' by the guest of honor for the evening

Prof. Pental (VC, Delhi University) and Prof. Badal Mukherji (Director IILM Institute). Prof. Mukherji, warmly welcomed invitees and the distinguished chief guest. He expressed his sincere gratitude towards the presence of Prof. Deepak Pental to grace the occasion.

Mr. Jasdeep S. Chadha (Associate Dean, PGP, Gurgaon) started the programme by announcing the names 106 successful students for the award of the Post Graduate Diploma in Management of batch 2005-07. The PGDM is a two year full time programme, a unique mix of spe- cializations designed to address the changing needs of the Indian industry. It is designed to develop students with strong conceptual fundamentals and skills required to manage businesses of the future, while giving them the vision to determine what the Convocation future will be. The Institute ceremony of the endeavours to produce managers PGDM 2005-07 having professional attitudes, values and skills to be relevant in changing business environments. The programme ensures thorough grounding of students in funda- mental concepts in various fields and concurrently develops the requisite pragmatism to test and apply these concepts in real life situations. Students with different backgrounds, qualifications and learning styles are encouraged to use their experiences and perspectives as instruments of analysis. With their heads held high, students walked up to receive their diploma. Prof. Pental awarded diploma to the respective students. Prof. Badal Mukherji conferred the diploma on the students who were present and also conferred on those absent.Students were greeted by a warm handshake from the honorable chief guest in their moment of glory.

Prof. Deepak Pental presented the Dr. Kulwant Rai Gold medal and Dr. Kulwant Rai Silver medals instituted for overall academic excellence and securing first positions in the various fields of specializations to the privileged students. The highlight of the ceremony was the speech delivered by Prof. Pental. He began by extending his wholehearted congratulations to the Institute for creating a niche in short span of time. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Pental said that the graduating students have opportunities aplenty in India and aboard. He said that as they look to the future, all students must keep in mind the interest of the country, because it is higher education that has to give our country the required impetus to greater achievements. There is a belief that educated people will steer their country into the future with their knowledge and students must justify that belief. He said that convocation is more than anything an occasion on which the degree-earners pledge them- selves to put their knowledge to work for the cause of human welfare. He said that India was well on its way to becoming an economic superpower and said the country needed more young people to lead. He said India is passing through exciting times and an era of building up substantial intellectual capital wherein the youth have a very significant and leading role to play. He encouraged graduating students to compete in the world by overcoming obstacles with ethics. He enlightened the students on the current issues, encouraged them to fight corruption and to create a niche for themselves. He offered his best wishes to the young graduates. He advised students to keep an open mind to

go on imbibing the ever increasing flow of ideas, information and skills. He reminded students that this can be achieved only if one kept the fire of inquisitiveness burning. Wishing them prosperity, he also said that the diploma could be an authorization to success only when students worked with and for others with veracity and commitment and use their knowledge as a permit to change the world. Prof. Pental wished students a good future and reiterating that while they should treasure this achievement, they should also keep learning. He concluded the function by expressing the

hope that those who have graduated enjoy health, happiness and prosperous future. The convocation programme concluded with the optimistic students celebrating their graduation from IILM Institute for Higher Education and looking ahead to emulating the successes of the Institute's alumni.