Vadodara, August 2026: TeamLease Skills University (TLSU), India’s first vocational skills university, held its Ninth Convocation Ceremony today at its campus in Vadodara. The convocation was also broadcast live on Facebook.
A total of 65 students were conferred degrees across four programmes: 34 in BBA (Marketing), 16 in BCA (Software Development), 7 in BCA (Infrastructure Management Services), and 8 in B.Sc. (Mechatronics – Work Based Learning). Since its establishment in 2013 under a Public-Private Partnership with the Government of Gujarat, TLSU has enrolled over 1.6 lakh learners across its campus-based and apprenticeship programmes, with its affiliated NETAP initiative alone training over 1.3 lakh candidates nationwide.
Three students were awarded the TLSU Gold Medal for the academic year 2026–27 for passing all semesters at the first attempt with the best overall academic performance in their respective disciplines: Nagar Atharva Sunil of the Department of Commerce and Management, and Jayswal Keshav Kamleshkumar and Patel Nil Kumar Janakbhai of the Department of Information Technology.
The Registrar, Prof. Dr. H.C. Trivedi, gave the welcome address and presented the University report. The Provost, Prof. Dr. Avani Umatt, conferred the degrees and diplomas and delivered the keynote address. Ms. Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and delivered the convocation address.
In the keynote address, Prof. Dr. Avani Umatt reflected on the university’s commitment to bridging classroom learning with industry practice, emphasising that TLSU graduates carry an edge that traditional universities rarely provide. She urged them to move forward with confidence, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference. “India produces millions of graduates each year, but too many enter the workforce unprepared. This university was built to close that gap: not with theory alone, but with practice, rigour, and accountability. You are not just graduates — you are future leaders, innovators, and changemakers,” said Prof. Umatt.
In her convocation address, Ms. Neeti Sharma spoke about the shifting nature of India’s workforce and the growing premium on skills over credentials. She highlighted that India’s employers are increasingly prioritising adaptability, digital fluency, and hands-on experience — exactly what TLSU’s model is designed to build. “The world of work is being reshaped by AI, automation, and entirely new business models. That should be exciting. You are entering the workforce with something that many graduates aspire for — real industry exposure and the habit of learning by doing. Stay curious, embrace technology, and treat your career not as a fixed destination but as a continuous journey. India’s economy needs exactly what you bring to the table,” said Ms. Sharma while encouraging the students to remain agile and committed to lifelong learning.
Mr. Manish Sabharwal, President of the University, conveyed his best wishes and blessings to the graduates. “India doesn’t have a jobs problem — it has a jobs-to-good-jobs problem. Every one of you crossing this stage is living proof that the bridge between education and employment can be built well. TLSU was founded on a simple conviction: that skills, not just syllabi, create livelihoods,” said Mr. Sabharwal.
