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International Institute of Sports Management (IISM), India’s first premier institute offering sports management education, celebrated a grand, in-person convocation ceremony for the students of its Bachelors of Sports Management (BSM), Masters of Sports Management (MSM), and Post Graduate Programme in Sports Management (PGPSM) courses on Sunday, June 4th, 2023.
A total of 140 students from 2019-2022, 2020-2022, and 2021-2022 batches graduated and were conferred with their respective degrees at the event. The convocation ceremony was held at Hotel Novotel Juhu, Mumbai.
The Head of the National Cricket Academy and a Former Indian Cricketer, VVS Laxman graced the occasion as the guest of honor. The Treasurer of the BCCI and the President of the Mumbai unit of BJP, Ashish Shelar marked his presence at the ceremony as the chief guest. The dignitaries were joined by the Vice President of the Mumbai Cricket Association, Mr. Sanjay Naik; the Director of Garware Institute Career Education & Development (GICED), Dr. Keyurkumar Nayak; the Co-Founder Director of IISM, Ms. Rasika Kulkarni; the Chief Operating Officer at IISM, Mr. Amit Gupte; and the Associate Dean of IISM, Mr. Amitava Pal.
The convocation ceremony was presided over by the Founder Director of IISM, Mr. Nilesh Kulkarni, who is also a former Indian Cricketer, Sports Entrepreneur, and TEDx Speaker. He initiated the convocation address by welcoming the chief guests, alumni, faculty members, and staff, and congratulating the graduating students. He then added, “I am thrilled to be here to celebrate the success of our graduates who have completed their BSM, MSM, and PGPSM with flying colors. Each one of you has shown your sincerity, commitment, and passion toward your course and this burgeoning field of Sports Management. It is your enthusiasm and dedication that will help you achieve great strides in your professional journey. I wish everyone the best of luck for future endeavors and hope that the skills acquired from IISM will contribute to your fields of work.”
VVS Laxman then addressed the gathering. He started his speech by congratulating the students and sharing some takeaways from different intersections of his career in the sports industry. “I am delighted to meet the graduating students who want to make a name for themselves in the field of Sports Management. As someone who has both on and off-the-field experience, I learned and strongly affirm that put your 100 percent to whatever work you are doing. Along the way, have the courage to take risks, the strength to be empathetic, and the wisdom to be humble. These qualities might make you vulnerable but it is still possible to achieve your goals if you set your set eyes on it. Hereon, using your academic learnings, strive for becoming the torchbearers of Indian sports. Wishing you well for your future,” he added.
Ashish Shelar also delivered his address with his heart-touching words, conveying to the graduating students how their two-to-three-year journey must have started with nervousness and the fear of the unknown only to end with absolute clarity, unmatched skills, and grit to achieve goals. “Now that you are on the brink of stepping out of this campus – your comfort zone, brace yourselves to learn from the new experiences and gain inspiration from those around you. Heartiest congratulations for completing this important milestone; know that you have worked hard to earn this accreditation,” he said in conclusion.
Soon after the speeches, the graduating students came dressed in robes and were felicitated with certificates and a scroll, followed by photographs with the chief guests. At the end of the ceremony, Mr. Nilesh Kulkarni shared he will not bid goodbye to the students on their farewell, because their connection with the institute will remain the way it has always been!
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