Ahmedabad : The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, recognized as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, proudly celebrated its 24th convocation of academic programmes on 30 May 2025 at its Ahmedabad campus. The event featured Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, Former Secretary of DRDO, and Distinguished Scientist, as the chief guest. The occasion was also attended by Shri Rakesh Sharma, President of EDII and Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IDBI Bank Limited; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII; and notable members of the EDII Governing Board, including Mr. Rajesh R. Gandhi, Managing Director of Vadilal Industries Limited, Ahmedabad; Mr. Rahul Bhave, Managing Director and CEO of IFCI Limited, New Delhi; and Ms. Purnima Bhargava, CGM & Head of Learning & Employee Engagement at IDBI Bank Ltd.
At the 24th convocation, 74 graduates received diplomas and graduating certificates across various academic programs. These included the Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Entrepreneurship (PGDM – E), Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Innovation Entrepreneurship & Venture Development (PGDM-IEV), and the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM). This ceremony represents a significant milestone, honoring the academic achievements and successes of graduates as they embark on entrepreneurial roles in diverse industries and institutions.
This year’s graduating class consists of 74 students, including 64 from the Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Entrepreneurship, 8 from the Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Innovation Entrepreneurship & Venture Development, and 2 from the Fellow Programme in Management, hailing from 12 different states. Notably, 21 students from the PGDM-E program have finalized their five-year Perspective Growth Plans, while 43 students have created Detailed Project Reports (DPR). Additionally, students have successfully secured grants through the student start-up innovation policy.
Some of the identified business domains include:
- Providing small-scale wind turbines for both commercial and residential use
- Designing software to address everyday time management challenges in professional environments
- Offering fast, safe, and reliable blood delivery services
- Installing digital lockers in residential buildings for secure package drop-offs, enabling residents to receive mobile alerts and collect parcels at their convenience
- Beneficiating iron ore using efficient dry methods to achieve desirable ore grades without consuming precious water resources
- Developing innovative products that enhance electrical efficiency and user comfort
- Exploring numerous other contemporary opportunities.
Dr. V. K. Saraswat inspired the graduating students with an invigorating speech with insights into India’s evolving and growing entrepreneurial landscape and how each of their contributions will add to the nation-building. He said, “Your ability to navigate ambiguity, make decisions with incomplete information, and adapt strategies based on new realities will determine your sustained impact. Cross-cultural communication proves critical in our interconnected world. India’s diversity, be it linguistic, cultural, or economic, demands entrepreneurs who can design solutions that resonate across communities and contexts. Global collaboration demands understanding how to work effectively with partners from different cultures while maintaining authentic Indian perspectives. He added, every solution you develop, every enterprise you build, every innovation you pursue must be measured not just by its commercial success but by its contribution to India’s comprehensive development. We stand at an unprecedented moment in India’s journey, where the vision of Viksit Bharat, a developed India by 2047, is not merely a government policy but a collective aspiration that requires entrepreneurs like you to be its primary architects”
Shri Rakesh Sharma, President – EDII & Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IDBI Bank Limited, said, “This year, in April EDII celebrated its 43rd Foundation Day. In over four decades of its journey, the Institute has played a crucial role in establishing entrepreneurship as a familiar discipline. Today when the nation talks about employing entrepreneurship as a tool to enhance productivity, competitiveness and overall efficiency, EDII continues to remain centre stage in leading and reinforcing this development. The Institute’s nationwide presence is instilling entrepreneurial behaviour across a diverse cross-section of people.”
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, shared, “Since the inception of EDII, we have worked consistently to nurture entrepreneurial talent capable of leading with innovation, integrity, and impact. EDII’s meticulously designed curriculum integrates academic rigour with practical exposure, equipping students with a deep understanding of entrepreneurial ecosystems, strategic thinking, and ethical leadership. With the wings that we have provided, I am sure our students are going to fly to newer heights. To add to this flight is the inspiring presence of Dr. Saraswat. It is a pleasure to have him grace this convocation and guide our students.”
The event came to a close with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII.