S. Somanath, Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor at the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) addressing the graduating students at ISB in Hyderabad on Saturday.

There is a need for adapting a rapidly evolving technological landscape for success while being life-long learners, according  S. Somanath, Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

In his address at the graduation ceremony of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) of Class of 2025 at the Indian School of Business (ISB) here on Saturday, he advised the graduating students to view failures not as endpoints, but as essential stepping stones toward success. 

While only a few errors would be visible to the public, countless setbacks could occur behind the scenes, each serving as an opportunity to build resilience and foster innovation, the noted space scientist said.  

The former chairman of ISRO urged the graduates not to consider their education complete, but to remain lifelong learners, continuously adapting in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

It was important to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit, anchored in the core values of humility, honesty and integrity, which he believes are indispensable for achieving long-term success in any field, he added. 

Harish Manwani, Chairperson, ISB Executive Board, asked the graduates to harness the power of bold aspirations, resilience and innovative thinking—just as evidenced by the visionary achievements at ISRO—while redefining success as a blend of economic value and broader societal impact. 

Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Chairperson, ISB Mohali Campus Advisory Board, said as the students take up leadership roles, their commitment to ethical responsibility, continual learning and inclusive growth would be vital.

Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, encouraged graduates to champion diversity and bridge ideological divides, reminding them that their journey begins with meaningful connections that extend beyond the classroom. He stressed the value of integrating different perspectives with kindness and integrity. 

At the graduation ceremony 563 students from the PGP Class of 2025 (Hyderabad campus), along with three scholars from the Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) and 16 scholars from the Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM) received their certificates and accolades. T

Students who displayed academic excellence, extracurricular achievements and leadership skills were also honoured. Akhil Malani and Rajat Kumar Singh were announced as the ISB Gold Medallists for the PGP Class of 2025. Abhilash Bandari was announced the Chairperson’s Award for the Best All-Rounder (Hyderabad Campus) for the PGP Class of 2025.

Rajrupa Bose was awarded the ISB-Parmeshwar Godrej Award, in recognition as an exemplary woman student who has a strong record of commitment to social causes from the graduating PGP class.

Published on April 5, 2025