03 SEPTEMBER, 2014, BHUBHANESHWAR. The Art of Living’s Sri Sri University today celebrated the graduation-day ceremony of the pilot batch of graduates of the MBA Programme 2012-2014 at the Mayfair Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, in the presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Founder, Sri Sri University and the Art of Living Foundation, and the chief guest the Honourable Chief Minister, Odisha, Mr. Naveen Patnaik.
Addressing the distinguished invitees and students, Gurudev said,“One of the main purposes behind setting up this university is to provide the best of the East and the West. But science when clogged with prejudice then science slows down and spirituality when clogged with spirituality loses its utility. We need to break spiritualityof superstition and science of prejudice. Universities are there to create a vibrant, open mind to respond to questioning and open up to new learning.”
The chief guest, Mr. Patnaik, delivering the Convocation Address, emphasized and said, “Over the past years of existence Sri Sri University has established itself as a promising and excellent institute, “
The Sri Sri University Awards for Overall Academic Excellencewere distributed on the occasion to Shyam Manohar Panduranga and Gurpeet Siddhu, the awards for Overall Community Sensitivity were presented to Shyam Manohar Panduranga and Girisuta Jagdev
The guest of honour was Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, Honourable Minister, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Odisha. He congratulated the graduating students and said,” The University keeps alive the ancient spirit with modern technology.”
The Convocation also featured the launch of the Post Graduate Program in Financial Markets. The PGPFM is a collaborative program offered by Sri Sri University in association with the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, which offers the program only in three other premier institutes in the country.
Says Dr.K.C. Mishra, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Sri University, “Sri Sri University was established in 2009 in consonance with Gurudev’s vision of developing an institution that would impart holistic, value-integrated education to develop visionary thinkers with the social-consciousness to lead societal and economic change.”
The University recently inaugurated its Master of Arts Program in Good Governance, Bachelor of Performing Arts in Odissi as well as Bachelor and Masters Programs in Yoga.