Become entrepreneurs and generate jobs, says A.P. Governor to JNTU-GV graduates

Published 11 July 2026 · local

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Gurajada Vizianagaram (JNTU-GV) held its first convocation, conferring 34,896 degrees, including 11 Ph.D. degrees, on graduates from the 2019-23, 2020-24, and 2021-25 batches. The ceremony was presided over by the Governor and Chancellor of the University, S. Abdul Nazeer, at the AU Convention Centre on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Saturday (July 11, 2026). Addressing the gathering, Mr. Nazeer congratulated the graduates and urged them to become job creators rather than job seekers. “I urge you to become entrepreneurs and generate jobs, and do not remain job seekers,” he said, adding that every student was capable of joining the start-up ecosystem to strengthen the State’s economy.

He highlighted the University’s student-centric initiatives, including the issuance of certificates within 24 hours, a DigiLocker facility for instant, legally valid degree downloads, and a proposed blockchain-based tamper-proof degree system that would allow employers worldwide to verify credentials instantly. “This is an example of student-centric, transparent, and efficient governance,” he said, commending the Vice-Chancellor and his team. Mayur Patnala, Founder, Chairperson and Global CEO of Nirmaan organisation, who was conferred an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) for his contributions to social development and youth empowerment, delivered the address as Chief Guest. Recalling his roots in Vizianagaram district, Mr. Patnala urged the graduating batch to look beyond conventional markers of success.

“Are you doing what you truly love to do? Not what earns the highest salary. Not what looks impressive on LinkedIn,” he said. In his report, Vice-Chancellor V.V. Subba Rao noted that the University was established in January 2022. “It is rightly said that if you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” he said, speaking of the growing presence of women graduates. He added that more than 1,400 students received scholarships this year, and that faculty and scholars had filed 143 patents and published 288 papers in international journals. He also announced the launch of a Postgraduate Certificate Programme in Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and Law.

Of the 50 gold medals and two endowment medals sanctioned by the University for the three graduating batches, the Governor physically presented 15 gold medals on stage to meritorious students. Prof. K. Madhu Murthy, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, attended in place of the Minister for HRD, IT, and Electronics, Nara Lokesh, who could not attend due to prior engagements. He also addressed the gathering. The ceremony concluded with cultural performances by students of the University and its affiliated colleges, along with artistes from classical music and dance schools of Vizianagaram.