Gandhinagar:- The 6th Convocation Ceremony of Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU) was graced by Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited Shri Mukesh D. Ambani, who is also President of Board of Governors of PDPU on Saturday. On this occasion, the union minister announced that Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Coal and Power offered liberal support of Rs 300 crore for startup incubation center and setting up live data centre at cost of Rs75 crore at PDPU.

The speakers at the function believed that providing energy to seven billion people of the world and yet strike balance between energy needs and environmental conservation is a great challenge. They also stressed upon the needs that universities must focus on the research activities for finding the energy solutions.

Addressing the students Shri Mukesh Ambani said that with assuming global leadership, India also inherits the responsibility of finding solutions to one of the most enduring global energy problems related to Energy. “The world is grappling with the challenge of enabling growth and providing energy to everyone,” he said and added that the world faces challenge of energizing the lives of seven billion people across the world by striking a balance between energy needs and environmental conservation.

He said that as the world looks up to India for leadership, I want every one of you to believe in your capability to lead the world. “For me, you are not just graduating students, but budding ‘leaders’… leaders of a resurgent India… leaders of a vibrant India… leaders of a modern India,” he said.

“Energy will power India’s transformation into first a middle income and then a developed economy. The next two decades, may see India’s per-capita energy consumption grow by 100%,” said Shri Mukesh Ambani.

Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, who was guest of honour at the convocation, said that the US is far ahead in the field of energy sector because of the focus on the research activities. He stressed upon the need for focusing on research. “I wish PDPU (Petroleum University) to become PDEU (Energy University) covering all spheres of energy,” he said. The thought was seconded by Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijaybhai Rupani also.

While announcing the grant of Rs300 crore for startup incubation center, the minister asked to ensure the money is used only for research infrastructure and not for physical infrastructure. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan also offered to set up Rs75 crore national live data centre at PDPU which will be sponsored by Government of India.

Shri Mukesh Ambani applauded the central government’s Direct Benefits Transfer Scheme, which has been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest direct cash transfer programme in the world.

Shri Ambani said that PDPU strives to unleash the creative potential of the youth and said that he gets energized by the vibrancy of a new batch of skilled and dynamic youth. “Fresh and active young minds, the pride of our country, who with an entrepreneurial mind-set are all set to lead this country’s exciting journey into the future,” he said.

Shri Ambani said that the nearly 1,000 students who graduated on Saturday, represent the determined march of a resurgent India. “An India impatient and ready to take its place on the global stage…A thousand new building blocks for stronger india…A thousand different possibilities for a better India…And a thousand new promises of making India greater than ever,” he said.

Stressing upon the need for new ideas, Shri Mukesh Ambani said, “At Reliance, we believe that ‘an idea is no one’s monopoly’. It is my strong belief that we in India are just a few ideas, a few innovations and a few inspirations away from finding solutions to the world’s energy problems.”

PDPU has completed ten years and the campus has now over 5,000 students.