Governor M.C. Bhandare awards gold medalists at the 14th annual convocation of IMIS in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 15: The 14th annual convocation at the Institute of Management and Information Science (IMIS) was held today at its campus in which degrees were conferred on 500 graduates of the 2010 batch.

On this occasion, chief guest Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare gave away awards and citations to six gold medallists and other specialisation toppers. Addressing the students, Bhandare said: “Education is a potent tool to reduce poverty and inequality.” He added elementary education lays the foundation, secondary education contributes towards societal preparedness, and higher education acts as the culmination of the entire ordeal one has undergone to earn a good fortune for oneself.

“Education is not about earning a living for self, it is nurturing others to earn a living for them. Therefore, education is expansive, divergent and enfolds all our abilities and pursuits. Professional education opens up avenues to work in the specific field of your choice. It drives you to a position that provides the rank and position to benefit the society,” he stated.

He explained about the four V’s for achieving victory — vision, ventilate, validate and venture.

“As you start a new stint in your life, you need to have a vision that will guide you towards the right path. Ventilate your ideas, opinions and thoughts, validate your opinion through positive action and genuine decision. The last V is venture,” he said.

“Venture out, strive, let your noose loose so that you can achieve your desired goals,” said Bhandare.

“Last year, about 121 companies had offered summer placements and 81 companies, final placements to the graduates with a maximum pay package of Rs 10.15 lakh,” said H.K. Patnaik, director general of IMIS.

Awdhesh Krishna, managing director (HR), Nomura Services delivered the convocation speech, emphasising on the core values of a professional manager which includes truthfulness, humility, continuous learning, innovative approach and risk-taking abilities. “India will be a superpower only with active contribution of the youth of this country,” said Krishna.

Officials of the institute, K.K. Beuria (advisor), Kishore Chandra Padhy (director), Satyabrata Bhuyan (dean) also addressed the students. A cultural programme was organised later in the afternoon.