Shirpur, August 29, 2026 – The SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Shirpur Campus celebrated its 16th Graduation Ceremony, conferring degrees upon 331 graduating students from its four constituent schools. The event marked a significant milestone for the Class of 2026, who were joined by proud parents, faculty, dignitaries, and distinguished guests at the MPTP Auditorium.
The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Arun Nanda, Former Executive Director and President of Mahindra Holidays and Resorts India Limited, who delivered an inspiring convocation address. Shri Rajgopal Bhandari, Mentor of NMIMS Shirpur Campus, presided over the function, while Dr. Sunita Patil, Campus Director, presented the comprehensive Academic Report for the year 2025-26.
The graduating batch comprised 252 students from the Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering (MPSTME), 43 from the School of Pharmacy and Technology Management (SPTM), 26 from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SAST), and 10 from the School of Commerce (SOC), Dhule Campus. The event witnessed the participation of university associate deans including Dr. Venkatadri Marriboyina (MPSTME), Dr. Shyam Sunder Pancholi (SPTM), Dr. Inderchand Chauhan (SAST), Dr. Vijay Shivankar (CTF), and Dr. Chandra Prakash Soni (SOC).
The ceremony commenced with the academic procession, during which the gathering stood in reverence as the dignitaries entered the auditorium. Dr. Preeti Sangve, Associate Professor from SPTM, extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, trustees, parents, and graduating students. The proceedings began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp accompanied by Saraswati Vandana, seeking the blessings of Goddess Maa Saraswati, followed by the rendition of the NMIMS Anthem.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Academic Report 2025-26 by Dr. Sunita Patil, Campus Director. The comprehensive report showcased the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, research and innovation, industry engagement, and holistic student development.
During the academic year, faculty members contributed 143 publications in Scopus-indexed international journals, 10 book publications, 48 book chapters, and filed 10 patents. The campus was awarded a government research grant worth over ₹1 crore from various funding agencies. The research-embedded learning initiative saw 22 student teams participate in the University Day Research Poster Symposium, with three Shirpur teams emerging as winners across all campuses.
The report noted several outstanding student accomplishments. Master Chirag Vijayvargiya emerged as a grand winner at Hack with Infy 2025, competing among more than 3 lakh participants nationwide, receiving a cash prize of ₹1 lakh along with a pre-placement offer from Infosys. The campus drone team secured third place among 70 teams at the Boeing Aero Modeling Competition held at IIT Gandhinagar.
NMIMS Shirpur Campus achieved remarkable recognition in sports, securing four prestigious NMIMS University Sports Awards. The campus itself was adjudged the Best Campus for Sports Award across seven NMIMS campuses.
The annual cultural festival Protsahan 26 and technical festivals Ambiora26 and Vistaar 26 provided platforms for students to showcase their talents. The campus introduced three value-added certification programs in Sports & Fitness, Music & Well-being, and Yoga & Meditation, with approximately 450 students registering for these initiatives.
The International Library Symposium on Knowledge and Communication, organized in collaboration with Konken University, Thailand, brought together 35 delegates and 135 research papers across 12 parallel technical sessions.
The convocation address by Mr. Arun Nanda was the most anticipated segment of the ceremony. The seasoned corporate leader, with over five decades of experience, began by congratulating the graduating students on their new journey. He acknowledged the vision of the institution’s founders and praised the campus for keeping pace with changing times.
“For 50 years, I have been associated with Mahindra. But I realized that when you work with both ‘Karma’ (duty) and ‘Dharma’ (righteousness), the output is of a different kind,” Mr. Nanda remarked, emphasizing the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with ethical conduct.
He shared anecdotes from his distinguished career, which included serving as Executive Director and President of Mahindra & Mahindra, and receiving the prestigious Knight of the National Order of Merit from the French Government in 2008—the highest civil award bestowed by France, in recognition of his contribution to promoting business between India and France.
Mr. Nanda highlighted the importance of social responsibility, sharing his journey of resigning from Mahindra to focus on social causes. He founded trusts dedicated to bringing dignity and purpose into the lives of senior citizens, working with local hospitals to build geriatric wards and providing training to caregivers. “You don’t create institutions like this just with money. It takes vision, passion, and execution skills,” he said.
Addressing the graduating students, he advised them to remain lifelong learners and be ambitious yet grounded. “The world you are entering is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, automation, sustainability, and digital transformation are reshaping every profession. Your success will depend not only on what you know but also on how efficiently you learn, adapt, and create value for society,” he stated.
staff recognized the invaluable contributions of non-teaching personnel, including Mr. Kamlesh Bhas, Mr. Nitesh Jadhav, Mr. Bhalchandra Pagar, Mr. Praveen Gadi Lohar, and Mr. Jaywant Chaudhary.
A significant moment was the Sustainability Oath-taking ceremony administered by Dr. Sunita Patil, where all graduating students pledged to champion sustainability and social responsibility, conserve resources, promote equity, and act with accountability. The Academic and Sports Annual Report 2025-26 was also released during the event.
The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem and a vote of thanks, followed by the academic procession receding from the auditorium. The graduating students of the Class of 2026 are now equipped with knowledge, skills, and values to navigate and lead the ever-changing dynamics of the professional world, ready to contribute meaningfully to society.
The event was a testament to the collective dedication of students, faculty, staff, and administration in creating not just successful graduates but responsible professionals and socially conscious citizens. Special credit goes to Mr. Shivaji Gaikwad, Administrative Officer, NMIMS Shirpur Campus, for his successful execution and excellent coordination, which ensured the seamless organization of this significant event.
The institution extends its deepest gratitude to its visionary leadership—Hon’ble Shri Amrishbhai Patel, Chancellor of NMIMS and President of SVKM; Hon’ble Shri Bhupeshbhai Patel, Joint-President of SVKM; Hon’ble Shri Rajgopal Bhandari, Mentor of NMIMS Shirpur Campus and Smt. Rita Patel, In-Charge, NMIMS Shirpur Campus—for their unwavering support and inspiration, which continue to guide the campus toward greater heights of excellence.
