Graduating students celebrate success at GD Goenka World Institute

Lancaster University’s Chancellor, the renowned mountaineer Sir Christian Bonington CVO CBE DL, presided over the inaugural graduation ceremony of the GD Goenka World Institute-Lancaster University on 8 February 2012. 

Mr Shekhar Gupta, editor-in-chief of The Indian Express, was a chief guest at the ceremony. The families and guests of the postgraduate students watched them collect their degrees at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Delhi.

A hundred and eleven students graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management and another 20 graduated with an MSc Management and Law, MSc Management or MSc Management and Marketing. Five hundred and fifty-six students are currently studying for a Lancaster degree at GDGWI in Gurgaon.

Ms Shilka Abraham, who graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (2009-11 cohort), is the first recipient of the Gopi Ram Goenka Medal, awarded in recognition of outstanding performance in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities. Sri Gopi Ram Goenka was the guiding force behind the GD Goenka group.

Sir Christian Bonington said: “I am delighted to be in India to celebrate the success of our graduates and share in their special day. The partnership between GD Goenka World Institute and Lancaster University, which is ranked in the top one percent of universities worldwide, has produced academic programmes that prepare students for careers in today’s competitive and global economy, and I will be following their progress with interest.”

Mr A.K. Goenka, Chairman, GD Goenka Group, said: “Established to cater to the rising demand for quality higher education in India, GDGWI, in partnership with the prestigious Lancaster University, UK, delivers Undergraduate and Postgraduate degree programs with an industry-relevant focus. The period since the partnership has been one of growth and enrichment for students who come to GDGWI from all over the country pursuing business studies. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to a long lasting relationship to transform higher education in India.”

The increasing interdependence of the two campuses can be seen by the opportunities for students studying at GD Goenka World Institute to visit Lancaster University through Summer School programmes and exchanges. Seventeen students are now completing their final year at the Lancaster campus in England. All these things inform teaching and learning and add to the overall student experience.

The GDGWI-Lancaster University degrees place great emphasis on employability. Its Corporate Resource Centre networks with companies and organises personal development programmes, workshops and campus interviews for students in association with some of the leading HR professionals in India.

As part of this, GDGWI has representation from different segments of businesses such as Grail Research, Capital IQ, India Bulls Securities Limited, K Raheja Corp, Info Edge India Ltd, Zycus InfoTech, Welspun Group, International Tractors Limited, Colliers International and Madison Street Capital.

As part of their plans, the GD Goenka Group is building for the future and intends to open the G D Goenka University.