IRMA's 35th annual convocation was held in Anand on May 30, 2016. Shri Nitin Gadkari, Honourable Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Minister Shipping was Chief Guest on the occasion. He also delivered the convocation address.
Members of Parliament Dilipbhai Patel and Devi Singh Chauhan were present during the occasion along with IRMA's chairman, board of governors, faculty and graduating students of IRMA.
Prof. Jeemol Unni, Director of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), welcoming the Chief Guest along with the Board of Governors, press, invitees, faculty, graduating students and their parents highlighted some of the institute's achievements for the academic year including IRMA's infrastructural expansion to accommodate a larger batch size. She also mentioned that "a large number of MoUs have been signed and research and consulting assignments undertaken..." among many other things.
IRMA's Chairman, Mr. T. Nandakumar , wishing the fresh graduates all the best while embarking on their new journey exhorted them to "push the pedal to the future". Emphasizing that "IRMA is a unique institution" he expressed pride in the fact that its graduates have gone on to work in important organizations and sectors. He also reminded the students that "chasing high CTCs does not matter because it is more important to create happiness in people's lives."
The Chief Guest, during his address, extolled the option IRMA's graduating students had taken of serving the rural sector which, he affirmed, was "beleaguered by severe challenges, mainly involving technology and infrastructure." He bemoaned the fact that rural voices remain unheard in Delhi's corridors of power and asserted that he expected "a lot from IRMA's graduates with regard to the challenges besetting the rural sector" while expressing hope that they would have the vision to address these challenges.
A total of 195 PRM (Post Graduate Programme in Rural Management) participants and two FPRM (Fellow Programme in Rural Management) participants graduated this year. Shreshta Kukreja who had topped his batch of PRM 35, was awarded the prestigious KuchibhotlaVasanthi Gold Medal by the Chief Guest.
