60 international students graduate in various streams
Visakhapatnam: Celebrating the achievements of international students from Kenya, Rwanda, Bhutan, Nigeria, Nepal, Ethiopia, Uganda, and other nations, GITAM hosted its sixth special graduation ceremony here on Wednesday. Highlighting the growing appeal of India's higher education system among international students, Registrar D. Gunasekharan emphasised that India's educational landscape is rich in diversity, culture, and history makes it a preferred global destination for academic pursuits.
The institution's School of Pharmacy Principal Srinivas urged graduates to apply their acquired knowledge towards the development of human capital in their home countries. He encouraged them to pursue research-oriented careers to better serve society.
GIMSR Biochemistry department Professor K Viswa Kalyan congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue learning in order to stay competitive in today's world.
Speaking on the internationalisation of education, Director of International Affairs KPC Kishan shared that over 400 students from 43 countries are currently enrolled across various programmes. He acknowledged the Central Government's 'Study in India' initiative for promoting Indian higher education on the global stage. Dr Kishan also reminded the audience that India has historically contributed groundbreaking innovations and discoveries to the world. He invited graduates to join the Indian Alumni Association to stay connected and strengthen professional networks globally.
This year, 60 international students successfully completed programmes in engineering, science, pharmacy, paramedical sciences, and management. The ceremony marked a proud moment for both the graduates and the institution, reinforcing the institution's commitment to academic excellence and global collaboration.
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India's seat on AX-4 reportedly cost between $60 and $70 million. "The lion's share of that is the launch cost," he explained. "We'd love to make it cheaper, and I think over time, prices will come down. But for now, it's expensive." Still, he believes the investment is worth it. "Having an astronaut represent the nation is a great asset. It inspires youth, encourages technical education, and builds the workforce. It's a win for India." Looking ahead, Lopez-Alegria sees great potential for collaboration between Axiom and ISRO. "I'd love to see Gaganyaan dock with the Axiom space station someday. There's no reason it couldn't. India is an emerging space power, and we'd be foolish to ignore that." Axiom's own space station is already in development. The first module is set to launch in 2027 and will initially dock with the ISS before becoming an independent platform. "We'll have a full autonomous capability to house a crew and conduct experiments," he said. "Certainly before the end of the decade." He also expressed admiration for India's broader space roadmap. "I've been hearing a lot about it, and I'm very impressed. It's well thought out and has strong government support. First Gaganyaan, then a space station, then the Moon - why not?" As for Mr Shukla, Lopez-Alegria had nothing but praise. "He's done extremely well in training. I have zero doubt he'll excel in orbit. Indians can be very, very proud." With the countdown underway, the excitement is palpable. For India, this mission is more than a milestone - it's a message. A message that the country is ready to take its place among the stars, not just as a participant, but as a leader in the new era of space exploration. And for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, it's the beginning of a journey that will inspire generations to come.
