Convocation 2008: Hindus N Ram and Satyams R Raju inspire students at GREAT LAKES, Chennai

Around 200 students ofGreat Lakes Institute of Managementreceived their postgraduatediplomasand executive MBAcertificates.

On the occasion, Schools founder and honorary dean Bala V. Balachandran delivered the welcome speech. He said the students were admitted into the institution based on their intelligence, ethical values, academic performance, leadership potential, team-building skills, analytical skills and their ability to cope with the pressure of a fast-track one-year course.

Dr Bala also said the standard of the institution and its students is increasing year by year and added that from next year around 10 percent students shall be admitted from outside India. He said that the school expected to move to its new campus on East Coast Road in time for the next years convocation.

The convocation address was delivered by N Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, who said the highlight of the institution was its commitment to provide world class managers attracted by clarity of vision. He urged business schools not to ignore factors such as the national deficit, the countrys poor human development indicators and the massive challenges of poverty, illiteracy and poor healthcare.

While India could be justly proud of its high growth rate, especially in the services and international trade sectors, its young population and its status as a favoured destination for foreign investment, business leaders must be aware of the challenges facing the country, he said.

Satyam Computers chairman Ramalinga Raju, who delivered the valedictory address, spoke about what the industry would expect from new graduates. They needed to demonstrate leadership, not just management skills, because this was a time of rapid change.

Your success is going to depend on how well you can manage changeAnd companies will expect you to demonstrate leadership from day one, not in the due course of time. In the current context, companies would also expect their new employees to be willing to shoulder risk.

Mr. Raju urged the students to be goal-oriented. That does not mean fixating on your goal and going on to auto-pilot, he said. Instead, its more like driving on Indian roads. If you take your eye off the road for one instant, you will end up in an accident.
The toppers received their awards followed by the graduates who received their certificates.