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Manipal University Jaipur hosted its 6th Online Convocation, honoring another graduating class that built degrees around demanding jobs, long commutes, and everyday life.
There is a particular kind of silence that settles over a convocation hall just before the ceremony begins, rows of graduates in unfamiliar robes, family members craning for a better view, everyone waiting for a name to be called. On September 12, 2026, that silence returned to the MUJ campus in Jaipur for the 6th time, as another batch of online learners closed one chapter and opened another.
Six Editions, One Growing Story
What makes each MUJ Online convocation worth writing about is not just the ceremony itself, but it’s who shows up to it. This year’s cohort included 5655 graduates, drawn from 28 states and 6 Union Territories across India, with learners logging in and showing up from 22 countries besides. 903 of them made the trip to Jaipur in person; the rest received their degrees in absentia.
The degrees conferred this year spanned MUJ’s now-familiar spread of online programs, which are, BCom, BBA, and BCA at the undergraduate level, MCom, MBA, MCA, and MAJMC at the postgraduate level. Behind each of these degrees, there will be a different kind of story; a 20-year-old startup founder or a homemaker with kids coming back to complete her studies – all driven by one thing: the love for learning. And at Online Manipal, we are deeply grateful to have been part of helping our learners take that first step in their academic journey.
“Coming from Ludhiana, Punjab, I founded the Ludhiana Photo Walk Community to encourage girls to pursue photography fearlessly. After hearing about MUJ’s reputation, I enrolled in the MAJMC program, and the faculty and overall experience have been just as amazing as I had expected. A few days ago, I also received my district reporting ID card. This convocation is a proud milestone for me and my parents, who are incredibly happy and proud of my journey.”
Khushi Budhi Raja , MAJMC
What the Numbers Point To
- 5,655 graduates: Students awarded degrees at MUJ Online’s sixth convocation.
- 19 years: Age of the youngest graduate, Mr. Prakash, who completed a BCA.
- 78 years: Age of the oldest graduate, Mr. Mandavilli Bhaskara Nageswara Rao , a retired banker who completed an MBA in Finance.
- 62% : 38%: Male-to-female learner split.
These figures offer a glimpse into the diversity of learners pursuing online higher education. The age range, from a 19-year-old undergraduate to a 78-year-old retired professional, reflects how learners can pursue academic goals at different stages of life. The graduating cohort also represents a substantial scale of participation, while the gender split provides insight into its composition. Together, the numbers point to an online learning environment that brings together learners with different ages, backgrounds, and educational aspirations.
I work in logistics, with experience as a warehouse manager and logistics consultant, and I am currently working as a project manager. The knowledge I gained through MUJ Online MBA has helped me immensely in my work, especially in handling responsibilities and improving my communication skills. The faculty members have been very helpful and available whenever needed. The overall learning experience has been excellent. My expectations of online learning have completely changed after this experience
Jayesh Jadhav , MBA in Project Management
Inside the Ceremony
The ceremony’s Chief Guest was Mr. Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Managing Director of Haver & Boecker India, with Mr. Ambrish Sinha, CEO of UNext Learning, joining as the Guest of Honour. Leading the academic procession alongside them were Dr N. N. Sharma, President of Manipal University Jaipur; Commander (Dr.) Anil Rana, Pro-President; Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar; Dr. Nitu Bhatnagar, Provost; Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, Centre for Distance and Online Education; Mr. Dasari Nagaraju, Controller of Examinations; and members of the Academic Council.
The proceedings opened with the University Kulgeet, followed by a formal welcome to the Chief Guest and other dignitaries. In his welcome address, Commander (Dr.) Anil Rana congratulated the graduating batch, drawing attention to the perseverance, self-discipline and resilience that online learners bring to their academic journey. He noted that this success is rarely achieved alone; it rests on the support of families, faculty and technology-enabled learning, all of which help students push past geographical and professional constraints.
In his presidential address, Dr. N. N. Sharma spoke about the University’s progress across research, rankings, academics, SWAYAM MOOCs, and sports. He pointed to online degree programs as a means for learners to build specialized knowledge and sharpen their professional capabilities, making them better equipped for careers across sectors. He also remarked that this year’s graduating cohort truly embodied the idea of lifelong learning, with students ranging from age 19 to 78.
Speaking to the graduates, Chief Guest Mr. Ashish Kumar Srivastava commended Manipal University Jaipur’s approach of pairing academic rigor with industry-oriented, practical learning. He said, “The way this institution is growing, and the kind of development and thought process it brings into the learning experience, is commendable. It is not just about teaching subjects; it is also about giving students practical knowledge and shaping them in different directions. The way they are providing different kinds of learning and teaching experiences is truly appreciable.”
Presenting the graduating students, Dr. Mallikarjuna Gadapa, Director, CDOE, observed that online education is well suited to the demands of the digital age. He noted that technology-enabled learning gives students greater flexibility and independence, while also helping them grow familiar with emerging technologies and build essential digital skills.
As per tradition, the online graduates took a collective oath before their degrees were formally handed over. What seemed like a small ritual was the one that mattered the most. When names were finally called out and graduates crossed the stage, the applause carried a sense of relief, and a lot of pride!
Bringing the ceremony to a close, Dr. Amit Soni, Registrar, Manipal University Jaipur, thanked the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, distinguished guests, parents, faculty, and the University’s management and staff for their role in making the convocation a success.
The Graduates, in Their Own Words
Ask any group of online graduates why they chose this path, and you will hear something different every time. For some, it was flexible to study on their own schedule without stepping away from a job or a family that needed them. For others, it was about not letting go of the career they had worked so hard to build, choosing to grow that career and finish their degree at the same time. And for many, it was simply the chance to prove to themselves that it was not too late to go back and complete what they had once set out to do.
“I had been searching for an offline MCA program for quite some time when I came across Manipal University Jaipur. Having heard about its strong reputation, I decided to explore its online MCA, and here I am today! Coming from an arts background, the journey was challenging, especially with areas like AI and data science, but the immense support from the faculty helped me overcome those challenges. It has been a wonderful journey, and I am now much more confident in my skills and switching jobs with the knowledge I gained through the program. I’m confident this will help me take the next step in my career.”
Rohith Yadav Pachipala, MCA
What Comes Next
As the ceremony wound down with a vote of thanks and the National Anthem, the graduating class of 2026 walked out of the hall the way most graduates do; A little lighter, a little louder, degree in hand and phone out for photos!
For MUJ Online, the 6th Convocation wasn’t really an ending. It was one more data point in a longer argument the university has been making since its very first convocation: that a good education doesn’t need four walls and a fixed address to be worth something. Six editions in, that argument keeps finding new graduates willing to make the case for it themselves.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026.
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