Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), one ofthe country’s premier Jesuit B-School with over 65 years of legacy in management education, organized its 59th Convocation (Virtual) for students of all five programmes.
In true spirit to celebrate the hard work of the graduating students, XISS Ranchi hosted its first ever Virtual Convocation ceremony in the august presence of the State’s Chief Minister, Honorable Shri Hemant Soren. The ceremony was held at the Fr. Michael Van den Bogaert, SJ Memorial Auditorium in the XISS campus on Saturday, 16th January, 2021.
While the pandemic has suspended most happy occasions, this one was conducted with particular enthusiasm to bid a final farewell to the 2018-20 batch. The ceremony began with the convocation parade led by the Chief Guest, Director, Assistant Director and Head of Programmes (HoPs) followed by the Convocation addresses. The MCs of the ceremony were Prof. A R Bodra and Prof. Nidhi Shukla. The entire event was streamed online on XISS’s YouTube channel.
The Convocation ceremony began with the opening remarks by Fr. Ajit Xess SJ, President, Governing Body, XISS who declared the Convocation ceremony open and in his address congratulated XISS and the graduating students for their achievements. He wished the students his best for their career and future ahead and said, “Management education is all about holistic growth and if you are able to leverage your excellent quality education from XISS and combine that with a positive attitude, I am sure you all will have something meaningful that you can contribute too.”
A total of 304 students of Batch 2018-20 were awarded their diplomas virtually in the ceremony. 26 students from all five programmes were declared the top rank holders and amongst them 11 gold, 08 silver and 05 bronze medals along with 2 cash prizes were distributed respectively.
Shri Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand while delivering the Convocation address congratulated XISS for achieving many laurels in its history. Addressing the students remotely, Shri Soren said, “I am very happy on visiting XISS on this solemn occasion, although I wished to meet the students but given the pandemic situation due to COVID-19 we can only connect virtually. I understand that this is a difficult time for all of you to graduate during a global crisis, but you all being management students, this situation call for smart management across the country, which you all are good at. I extend my congratulations to the medal winners along with all graduating students, you all are now the future of the country.”
CM Soren stressed on the importance of enterprising youth in nation building through his influential address. Talking about the COVID-19 pandemic, he advised the young professionals to work hard towards restoring the economy and contributing towards the growth of Jharkhand.
Earlier to the Chief Guest’s address, Dr. Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS addressed the students and invitees of the online ceremony. He cheered the diploma recipients and extended his congratulations to the winners of the gold, silver and bronze medals along with the families of the students, faculty and staff of XISS.
Further, Dr. Kujur presented the Director’s Report and as ‘AXIS 2020’, the Annual Magazine of XISS, alongwith other publications were also released during the ceremony. He accentuated the accomplishment of the goal of XISS to provide a holistic curriculum and advised students to use their degree in service to the mankind. He urged them all to live by the vision and mission of the Institute and advised them to take up varied roles of a professional or an entrepreneur alike. He also shared about XISS collaboration with the State Government in Relief programs during the lockdown period owing to Covid-19. He also mentioned that the Faculty have fruitfully utilized the unprecedented shutdown by conducting as many as 30 national and international webinars organized by 5 programmes of XISS.
In his farewell remarks for the graduating class of 2020, Dr. Kujur stated, “All of you have been groomed as professionals with a difference and are well prepared with values and capability to take up the challenges of life head on.”
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Pradeep Kerketta SJ, Assistant Director, XISS amidst the presence of Fr. Xavier Soreng SJ, Superior, XISS; Fr. Francis David Kullu SJ, Finance Officer, XISS along with Dr. Ramakant Agrawal, Head PGDM(Human Resource Management); Dr. Himadri Sinha, Head, PGDM (Rural Management); Dr. Mahua Banerjee, Head, PGDM (IT); Dr. Arup Mukherjee, Head, PGDM (Finance) and Dr. Amar E. Tigga, (On behalf of) Head, PGDM (Marketing) respectively. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of mementos to the Dignitaries.
Gold Medal Winners
In the Human Resource Management Programme, Ms. Sakshi Sukrity bagged the top rank and gold medal of NIPM Medal (Ranchi) Branch, Ms. Aishwarya Verma bagged the top rank CCL Gold Medal in Rural Management Programme, Ms. Megha Kumari won the gold medal in the Information Technology Programme, Mr. Mikhil Pranay won the first rank in Marketing Porgramme and Ms. Rosita Paul bagged the top rank in Finance Programme.
The other constituted Medals and Cash Awards as follows:
In Human Resource Management Programme the NTPC Gold Medal, New Delhi was given to Ms. Sakshi Sukrity, NTPC Gold Medal, New Delhi for ST/SC to Ms. Vijaya Laxmi, NIPM Kolkata, Silver Medal to Ms. Rashika Jain, Best Social Worker (Silver Medal) to Ms. Ashwini Bagaria, the Unni Krishnan Book Grant of Rs. 5000/- to Ms. Sakshi Sukrity, Best Communication Cash Award of Rs. 10,000/- to Ms. Anmol Kaur Virdi,
In the Rural Management Programme, the NTPC Gold Medal, New Delhi for ST/SC was given to Ms. Sushanti Bara, CASA Gold Medal for best outgoing student to Ms. Shreyoshi Sen, SODA Silver Medal for Best Rural Field Work to Ms. Aishwarya Verma and for Information Technology Programme, the Platlap Solution Gold Medal was given to Ms. Megha Kumari while, in the Marketing Programme, Nearen Bodra Gold Medal, highest aggregate for ST was given to Mr. Vivian Clement Kerketta.
Special Mention Award
The “Fr. Michael Van den Bogaert, SJ Memorial Distinguished Alumnus Award” has been jointly awarded to Mr. Surendra Kumar, Rtd. IAS, (Batch- 1980-82 – PM&IR), Member, Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, Govt. of Jharkhand & Mr. Musarrat Hussain, (Batch- 1985-87- PM&IR), Head, Leadership and Functional School, Maruti Suzuki Training Academy, Gurugram.