Convocation and Excellence Awards Ceremony 2025

The Convocation and Excellence Awards Ceremony 2025 was more than just an evening of gowns, medals, and certificates— it was a tapestry of stories, triumphs, and the spirit of discovery.

The ceremony began with a grand academic procession, followed by words of encouragement from our leaders and distinguished guests. They spoke of resilience, global collaboration, and the transformative role of research in shaping society.

A defining moment of the evening was when our scholars walked across the stage to receive their Joint PhD degrees. Each step carried with it years of hard work — the late nights in labs, the countless drafts, the mentorship that guided them, and the friendships that sustained them.

The evening also celebrated excellence through a series of awards that recognized brilliance in research and creativity:

Best 3MT Award – honouring the scholar who presented complex research in the most engaging and accessible way, inspiring audiences with clarity and passion.

Winners:

First Prize: Yash Bohre

Second Prize: Leena Bhadra

Third Prize: Ashish Kumar Senapati

Best Poster Award – recognizing innovative research beautifully captured and communicated through visuals and storytelling.

This award had two categories:

Best Poster for Junior Research Student: Amitava Chowdhury

Best Poster for Senior Research Student: Ashish Kumar Senapati

Best Research Paper Award – celebrating scholarly work that pushes boundaries and contributes significantly to its field.

Winner: Vaibhav Trivedi

Best Thesis Award – the highest recognition for a doctoral scholar, applauding exceptional research that exemplifies originality, rigor, and impact.

Winner: Debamita Ghosh

These awards shone a spotlight on individuals whose contributions went beyond academic milestones — highlighting innovation, communication, and the ability to make research meaningful for a wider world.

Adding to the celebration, cultural performances brought rhythm, colour, and energy to the evening, there was a dance performance by an Academy Staff, Beena Pillai and a recent Academy PhD graduate, Parvathy Nair.

As the night drew to a close, the air was filled with pride, inspiration, and optimism. The Convocation and Excellence Awards Ceremony 2025 was not only about honouring achievements of the present but also about igniting hope for the future — a future our graduates and awardees are already shaping with courage, curiosity, and excellence.