Souvik Bhattacharyya, Vice-Chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, exhorted the graduating students of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) to strive towards fostering a culture of excellence, on the second day of the 26th MAHE Convocation here on Saturday.

“Let the world know your strengths – the blend of empathy and intellect that you bear. Stressors and adversaries may come your way but courage lies not in avoiding them, but dealing with them with optimism and rationale for a better tomorrow. The greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall,” Prof. Bhattacharyya said. On the values of education he said, “The role of education is not only to cultivate the intellect but also to ignite your imagination. It has to create scholars and not just academics, and transfer values and not mere information.”

He impressed upon students to make choices that led to additional future choices.

And, most important was to develop and protect their reputation for having the highest ethical standards, he said.

“For as you continue through life, your reputation for good character and judgment will be the single most important factor that determines whether you progress to positions of greater responsibility. Victory without virtue has no value. While you all strive to do well, you must also do some good. This purpose will thrill you throughout your life - an adventure worth pursuing,” Prof. Bhattacharyya said.

The students who received Dr. T.M.A Pai gold medals today were: Post-Graduate – Immaculate Christina, School of Management, Manipal; Under Graduates – Shreya R. Aithal, Manipal Institute of Technology; and Deeksha Bhat, School of Communication, Manipal.