Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is awarded an Honorary D.Litt at AIHER’s Wardha convocation, with Dr Abhijat Sheth receiving a D.Sc. The event marks AIHER’s first convocation since renaming, and outlines expansion plans, including enhanced hospital facilities and centres of excellence, guided by United Nations SDGs.
India
-Oneindia Staff
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree at the 17th convocation of the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research (AIHER) in Wardha, Maharashtra, on Saturday. Dr Priti Adani, Chancellor of the university and Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, presided over the ceremony, which marked the institution’s first convocation since its renaming from Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (DMIHER).
Dr Abhijat Sheth, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in recognition of his contributions to medical education, healthcare governance and public health in India. The university awarded a total of 2,320 degrees across 10 faculties, including 123 Ph.D. degrees. The academic honours comprised 123 gold medals, seven silver medals and 13 other prizes, presented to 83 awardees. Poojal Devidas Mapari of Datta Meghe Medical College received 23 medals for outstanding academic performance.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is awarded an Honorary D.Litt at AIHER’s Wardha convocation, with Dr Abhijat Sheth receiving a D.Sc. The event marks AIHER’s first convocation since renaming, and outlines expansion plans, including enhanced hospital facilities and centres of excellence, guided by United Nations SDGs.
Addressing the graduating students, Fadnavis underscored the importance of social responsibility and giving back to society, stating that success should not be measured solely by financial achievements. “It is society that created the institution through which you could graduate. That is why there is always a time to give back. The definition of success is not how much money you earn. The definition of success is how much you can give back,” he said.
In a lighter moment, the Chief Minister also joked about the effort required to earn a doctorate, remarking that he was thankful he had not needed to undertake the extensive work involved in obtaining a Ph.D.
Dr Priti Adani Outlines Vision For Education And Healthcare
In her address, Dr Priti Adani congratulated the graduating students, medal winners, their families and faculty members, highlighting the responsibility that accompanies academic achievement. “Today is a proud moment for our university community. For our students, their families and teachers, it marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication,” she said.
She also paid tribute to the late Datta Meghe, the institution’s founder, whose vision helped expand access to education and healthcare, particularly for rural and underserved communities. Emphasising the institution’s commitment to public service, Dr Adani said, “Seva hi sadhana hai,” meaning service is a path of devotion.
She explained that the principle should guide the university’s work, from supporting students and preserving patients’ dignity to conducting research that addresses healthcare challenges and reaching communities in need.
AIHER Plans Hospital Infrastructure And Research Expansion
Dr Priti Adani announced that the university plans to enhance its hospital infrastructure over the next two years, with particular emphasis on modern medical equipment, advanced clinical research facilities and stronger super-specialty services at its Wardha and Nagpur campuses.
The institution will also develop a roadmap for applied research and establish centres of excellence. Research priorities will include disease prevention, early diagnosis, affordable treatment and improved maternal and child health.
The university also aims to expand its presence across India, bringing quality education, research and affordable healthcare to more regions while adapting to local needs. Wardha and Nagpur will remain central to this expansion strategy.
Dr Adani further highlighted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a guiding framework for the institution’s priorities in healthcare, education, gender equality and inclusion. She stressed the importance of preventive healthcare, community outreach, support for disadvantaged students and the responsible use of resources.
Addressing the graduates, she urged them to uphold professional ethics, respect human dignity and approach their work with compassion. She also encouraged them to use artificial intelligence and emerging technologies responsibly, evaluate evidence carefully and continue learning throughout their careers.
Adani Institute Of Higher Education And Research: A Brief Overview
Located in Sawangi Meghe in Wardha, approximately 80 kilometres from Nagpur, AIHER is a multidisciplinary deemed-to-be university that has grown from an institution with 100 medical students to a university with more than 14,000 students enrolled across over 260 multidisciplinary programmes.
Its 10 faculties cover medical sciences, dental sciences, Ayurvedic sciences, physiotherapy, nursing sciences, allied health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering and allied sciences.
The university’s constituent institutions include Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Medical College, Sharad Pawar Dental College, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College and Research Centre, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Smt Radhikabai Meghe Memorial College of Nursing, School of Allied Health Sciences, Datta Meghe College of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and School of Allied Sciences.
AIHER holds an A++ accreditation grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). Guided by its motto, “Learn and Lead”, the university aims to combine academic excellence with research, innovation and community engagement.
Dr Pankaj Rajesh Bhoyar, Minister of State in the Maharashtra government, attended the convocation as a guest of honour, along with other university dignitaries.
The ceremony concluded with Dr Priti Adani congratulating all 2,320 graduates, including the 123 Ph.D. scholars and 83 medal awardees, and urging them to carry forward the values of confidence, humility and compassion in their professional and personal lives.
