Rai University’s Special Convocation

Rai University honored five distinguished personalities

from public service, business & management, fine arts, and culture & communication in

a Special Convocation Ceremony held at Shangri-La Hotel, here today. In her welcome

address, Dr. Harbeen Arora, Co-founder & Chairperson of Rai Foundation—the founding

body of Rai University—said, “By honoring those who have excelled in a challenging

world, we are honoring and recognizing the crucial role such leaders play in the evolution

of new arts and sciences; and in uplifting our culture and consciousness.”

Padma Shri Dr. A. Sankara Reddy, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Rai University,

conferred honorary degrees to Suhel Seth, a marketing wizard, Kiran Bedi, a social

activist and the first woman to join Indian Police Service; Priti Paul, director of Apeejay

Surrendra Group; and Ritu Beri, International fashion designer; and for outstanding

contributions in their chosen fields. In his welcome note, Dr. Reddy said, “We take great

pride in conferring on Kiran Bedi, Preeti Paul, Ritu Beri, and Suhel Seth an Honorary

Doctorate in recognition of their yeoman’s service to the society in their respective

fields.” The University also announced Special Scholarships for Underprivileged Girls,

While accepting the honorary degree, Suhel Seth said that the country need to embrace

academia to create a just and equitable society based on genuine knowledge. He was

honored with honorary degree of Doctor of Arts for his phenomenal and significant

contribution to culture and communications. Dr. Kiran Bedi, who was conferred with the

honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service argued for giving importance to research

and forming research group in every class. While accepting the honorary degree of

Doctor of Business Administration, Priti Pual, Director of Apeejay Surrendra Group said,

“This facilitation by Rai University, which is renowned for setting international standards

in higher education, is an endorsement and encouragement. I thank you Vice Chancellor

for bestowing this honor on me.” In her degree acceptance speech, International fashion

designer Ritu Beri said, “This is an amazing honor.” She further added that joining

fashion industry was totally in an instinct and gut feel; and why she is here today because

she followed her own inspiration. Ritu Beri was awarded with the honorary degree of

Earlier, the Convocation Ceremony started off with lighting of the Lamp by the

awardees, Dr. Arora, Dr. A. Sankara Reddy, and other dignitaries. It is to be noted that

the Convocation Ceremony was attended by the faculty members of the university,

eminent personalities, and Ambassadors of various countries to India. The Ceremony

concluded with the Vote of Thanks followed by lunch.

Rai University is committed to equity, inclusiveness and equal opportunity for all while

maintaining excellence in interactive teaching methodology, innovation in research and

overall development of an individual in an environment that brings out one’s best. Rai

University is dedicated to openness, flexibility and the removal of barriers that restrict

access to and success in higher level education a few by having a robust online program

for those working or those that missed out due to various hardships in their life. Rai

University’s mandate is to nurture young minds capable of providing values, leadership

Rai University annually provides complete scholarships including lodging and boarding

to over 250 underprivileged girls from India and abroad to pursue any course of their

liking at any level at the university campus in Ahmedabad. It also gives full scholarship

to 10,000 students annually for its University Online degree program.