Leveraging Metaverse BITS Pilani WILP Hosts Arguably India’s Largest Convocation for Working Professionals

The Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP) division of Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani hosted a convocation, in which 7514 working professionals were awarded their respective degrees in 26 different degree programmes (i.e. 5183 with M.Tech., 1641 with MBA, 620 with B. Tech., and 70 with M.Sc. degrees).

This was arguably the first convocation in India that was organised for working professionals at such a large scale, especially by a leading higher education institute in science, engineering, and management domains. While about 900 working professionals, accompanied by their loved ones, participated in the Convocation organized at the Hyderabad campus and received their degrees in person, several thousands of others received theirs virtually through the revolutionary Metaverse technology in a near-realistic and immersive environment.

Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder Chairman & Board Member, Cyient and the Padma Shri Awardee, gracing the occasion as the chief guest, extended his warm congratulations to all the graduates. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and urged the graduates to be bold in their ambitions, not settle for mediocrity, and constantly aim for excellence.

The Padma Bhushan Awardee, Dr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani, through his special message, encouraged the graduates to dare to dream and make a difference, besides congratulating them for earning well-deserved milestones through their tireless efforts. The presence of senior leadership team, the senate, faculty, and staff members from BITS Pilani (who were instrumental in the success of the graduates or supported them in their respective capacities) helped make the overall convocation experience even more memorable.

Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, in his congratulatory message to the graduates, emphasized the critical role of an enhanced focus on education in meeting the dynamic needs of sectors like IT & ITeS, manufacturing, electrical & electronics, BFSI, pharma & healthcare, automotive, and energy. He affirmed that the graduates from work integrated learning programmes will not only use the knowledge gained to benefit their own careers and organizations, but will also play a vital part in contributing to genuine nation-building endeavors.

During his convocation address, Prof. G. Sundar, Director, Off-Campus Programmes & Industry Engagement, BITS Pilani, said, “For over 43 years now, more than 114,000 working professionals have leveraged BITS Pilani’s highly acclaimed work integrated learning programmes. Be it in computer science and information systems, core engineering, electrical & electronics engineering, or management domains, our key endeavour as a leading institution in the work integrated learning space has been to constantly enhance learning experiences of working professionals, through effective collaborations with their employers. With working professionals being at the core of this ecosystem, I wish to congratulate them on their graduation today and for their constant efforts in helping us design and deliver engaging and customized learning experiences.”