Convocation Ceremony

The Class of 2024 has officially stepped into their next chapter! Convocation Day was a celebration of the hard work, dedication, and dreams that came to life.

The Convocation Ceremony for class 24 was held on 22nd February 2025. Graduating students of B.Arch. batch graduating in April 2024, and M.Arch batch 2023-24 were present at the ceremony.

We were privileged to have Commodore Varun Singh (Shaurya Chakra) as our Chief Guest, whose extraordinary service and leadership in the Indian Navy continue to inspire. His words of wisdom resonated deeply with us all.

Our second Guest of Honor Mr. Dhanushkodi Sivanandan, Former Director General of Maharashtra Police, shared his invaluable experience in law enforcement and public service.

The other on stage dignities were the respected Dr. Daphne Pillai Secretary & Rector, Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr. Priam Pillai, Chief Operating Officer, Pillai Group of Institutions, Mr. Pranav Pillai Dy. C.E.O. Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, Principal, Pillai College of Architecture, and Principals of other departments.

The Program commenced with a grand Academic procession to lead the dignitaries from the old Canteen area to The Quad main stage. The Academic Procession included all H.O.Ds/ Coordinators to accompany dignitaries. The inaugural function was initiated with the lighting of lamps.

Following were all the dignitaries seated on the dais. Dignitaries on Main Stage

1. Dr. Daphne Pillai, Secretary M.E.S
2. Dr. Priam Pillai, C.O.O, M.E.S
3. Mr. Franav Pillai, Deputy C.E.O, M.E.S
4. Commodore Varun Singh
5. Mr. Dhanushkodi Sivanandan
6. Dr. Gajanan Wader, Principal, PCACS
7. Deepika Sharma, Vice Principal, PCACS
8. Mr. Sunil Nair, Registrar, PCACS
9. Dr. Sandeep Joshi, Principal PCE
10. Dr. K.P Gopal, Registrar PIMSR
11. Mr. P.V.Niranjan, PCE Registrar
12. Dr. P.S. Goyal
13. Mr. Padmakshan P (Sports Director, M.E.S)
14. Dr. Nivedita Shreyans (P.R.O. MES)
15. Dr. Pragnesh Shah (Director Administration M.E.S)
16. Dr. Betty Sibil (Prof. PIMSR)
17. Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar (Principal, PICA)

Academic Procession

Lamp Lighting

Felicitation of Chief Guest

Felicitation of Chief Guest

The Degree Distribution Ceremony was initiated by Prof. Suchitra to the Toppers PCACS (Toppers), PCE (Toppers), PICA (Toppers) PIMSR (Toppers)

Prof. Harshada Katkar announced M.Arch students and B.Arch students names and they were awarded the degree by Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar

List of PICA (Toppers) – B.Arch. Toppers
1st – Shivam Patil 9.28
2nd – Mudra 9.26
3rd – Shravya 9.19
4th – Gauri Dalvi 9.06
5th – Manasi Gharat 9.03

M.Arch. Toppers

• Khawar Ayesha Abid Farkhanda
• Mark Suchiang Chen

These students were felicitated with all other departments’ toppers.

B.Arch. Toppers Certification Distribution

M.Arch. Toppers Certification Distribution

Mementos in the form of Green sash (M.Arch.) and Blue sash (B.Arch.) were given to all graduates along with degree certificates. Each time the anchoring for the different department convocation certificate distribution was done by senior faculties of that particular institute. Group photographs were clicked for each department separately.

Group Photograph for PICA Students

The program concluded around 4:00 pm with the vote of thanks followed with National Anthem and Academic Procession to leave the venue with all the dignitaries, H.O.Ds/ Coordinators of the event

Convocation Ceremony – Batch 2023-24

Program of Convocation:

Convocation ceremony of the batch of 2024-25 was held on 22nd February 2025 Saturday, students were invited along with their parents for the ceremony.

Principals Address to the students

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Certificate Distribution

Batch 2019-2024 Class Photo

The event started with Prof. Ajita Deodhar giving a warm welcome address to the students, Parents, Faculties & Staff. With the lamp lighting ceremony the program started, followed by Principal Dr. Sudnya Mahimkars addressing the fresh graduates from PICA wishing them all the best for their future.

Prof. Sayali & Prof. Rupali did the anchoring.

Then Followed was the Academic Awards for A.Y. 2024-25 which were given by Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar , Dr. Smita Dalvi Maam

1. Best all-rounder performance in all 5 years – V S V S Vindhyavalli Devi
2. Academic excellence in B.Arch. – Lakshmi Sai Shravya Karuturi
3. Outstanding performance in B.Arch. – Patil Shivam Deepak
4. Best thesis B.Arch. – Kasu Faiz Nishar.

Which was followed by a convocation ceremony of B. arch students. Certificate Distribution was done by faculty members.

Dr. Smita Dalvi & Dr. Neha Sayed shared some memories of this batch & words of wisdom with the students.

Valedictorian speech was given by student PARTH.

Mementos in the form of Blue Stoles (B.Arch.) were given to all graduates. The program concluded with the vote of thanks by Prof. Sarojini Lohot and the batch group photos in the Atrium.

Pillai College of Architecture participated in the campus convocation with other streams like PIMSR, PCE, PCACS. The Convocation Ceremony for class of 2023 was held on 2nd March 2024. Graduating students of B.Arch. batch Graduating in April 2023, and M.Arch. batch 2022-23 were present at the ceremony.

We were honored to have Dr. Ramanan Ramanathan, Founder Director of ATAL Innovation Mission, as our esteemed Chief Guest. The other on stage dignities were the respected Dr. Daphne Pillai Secretary & Rector, Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr Priam Pillai, Chief Operating Officer, Pillai Group of Institutions, Mr. Pranav Pillai Dy. C.E.O.Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr Sudnya Mahimkar, Principal, Pillai College of Architecture, and Principals of other departments.

The Program commenced with a grand Academic procession to lead the dignitaries from the old Canteen area to The Quad main stage. The Academic Procession included all H.O.Ds/ Coordinators to accompany dignitaries. The inaugural function was initiated with the lighting of lamps accompanied by a prayer song by all the Dignitaries and Chief guest of the event.

Following were all the dignitaries seated on the dais. Dignitaries on Main Stage

• Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, C.E.O M.E.S
• Dr. Daphne Pillai, Secretary M.E.S
• Dr. Priam Pillai, C.O.O, M.E.S
• Mr. Franav Pillai, Deputy C.E.O, M.E.S
• Mrs. Gloria Dias
• Mr. Fabio Dias
• Dr. Gajanan Wader, Principal, PCACS
• Mrs. Deepika Sharma, Vice Principal, PCACS
• Mr. Sunil Nair, Registrar, PCACS
• Dr. Sandeep Joshi, Principal PCE
• Dr. K.P Gopal, Registrar PIMSR
• Mr. Ramanan Ramanathan (Director Atal Innovation Mission)
• Mr. P.V.Niranjan, PCE Registrar
• Dr. P.S. Goyal
• Mr. Padmakshan P (Sports Director, MES)
• Dr. Nivedita Shreyans (P.R.O MES)
• Dr. Pragnesh Shah (Director Administration MES)
• Dr. Betty Sibil (Prof. PIMSR)
• Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar (Principal, PICA)

This was followed by the University Anthem. Prof. Dr. Daphne Pillai delivered the welcome address to the students and guests. Dr. Daphne Pillai shared her experiences and words of wisdom with the students with respect to the future of the institution. Further felicitation of Chief Guest was done and Dr. Ramanan Ramanathan, inspiring words of wisdom and motivation left a lasting impact on all attendees & enthusiastic bunch of graduated students

The Degree Distribution Ceremony was initiated by Prof. Kavita to the toppers PCACS (Toppers), PCE (Toppers), PICA (Toppers), PIMSR (Toppers)

Prof. Sasmit Acharekar announced M. arch students and B. arch students names and they were awarded the degree by Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar and Dr. Priam Pillai.

List of PICA (Toppers)
B.Arch.: Anju Pillai, Meetkumar Patel, Aishwarya Gothe

These students were felicitated with all other Departments’ toppers.

Mementos in the form of Green sash (M.Arch.) and Blue sash (B.Arch.) were given to all graduates along with degree certificates. Each time the anchoring for the different department convocation certificate distribution was done by senior faculties of that particular institute. Group photographs were clicked for each department separately. The program concluded around 5:00 p.m. with the vote of thanks by Prof. Sasmit and Prof. Vrinda, followed with National Anthem and Academic procession to leave the venue with all the dignitaries, H.O.Ds/ Coordinators of the event.

Pillai College of Architecture participated in the campus convocation with other streams like PIMSR, PCE, PCACS. The Convocation Ceremony 2023 was held on 28th March, 2023. Graduating students of B.Arch. batch graduating in April 2022, and M.Arch batch 2021-22 were present at the ceremony. Honorable Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, Chairman & C.E.O. of Pillai Group of Institutions graced the occasion with his presence and Mr. Sharan Hegde, Founder & C.E.O. 1% Club as the Chief Guest gave an inspirational address to the new graduates. Among the other dignities were the respected Dr. Daphne Pillai Secretary & Rector, Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr Priam Pillai,Chief Operating Officer, Pillai Group of Institutions, Mr. Franav Pillai Dy. C.E.O. Pillai Group of Institutions, Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, Principal, Pillai College of Architecture and Principals of other departments.

The Program commenced with a grand Academic procession with Dhol to lead the dignitaries from the old Canteen area to The Quad main stage. The Academic Procession included all H.O.Ds / Coordinators to accompany dignitaries. The inaugural function was initiated with the lighting of lamps accompanied by a prayer song by all the Dignitaries and Chief guest of the event. Following were all the dignitaries seated on the dais.

• Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, Chairman & C.E.O of Pillai Group of Institutions
• Dr. Daphne Pillai Secretary & Rector, Pillai Group of Institutions
• Dr. Priam Pillai, Chief Operating Officer, Pillai Group of Institutions
• Mr. Franav Pillai, Dy. C.E.O. Pillai Group of Institutions
• Mr. Sharan Hegde, Founder & C.E.O 1% Club
• Dr. R Chandran, Executive Director, PIMSR
• Dr. Sandeep Joshi, Principal, PCE
• Dr. Gajanan Wader, Principal, PCACS
• Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, Principal, PiCA
• Mrs. Deepika Sharma, Vice Principal, PCACS
• Dr. K.P.Gopal, Registrar, PIMSR
• Dr. P.S. Goyal, Dean, Research & Development
• Mr. P.V. Niranjan, Registrar, Pillai College of Engineering
• Dr. Nivedita Shreyans, Director – Public Relations & Corporate Communications at Mahatma Education Society’s, Pillai Group of Institutions
• Mr. Pragnesh Shah, Pillai College of Engineering
• Mr. Padmakshan Padmanabhan, Sports Director, Pillai College and
• Senior Faculty members of PiCA, PIMSR, PCE, PCACS

This was followed by the University Anthem. Prof. Dr. Daphne Pillai delivered the welcome address to the students and guests. Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Sir, Chairman & C.E.O. of Pillai Group of Institutions, then shared his experiences and words of wisdom with the students with respect to the future of the institution. Further felicitation of Chief Guest was done and Mr. Sharan Hegde, Founder & C.E.O. 1% Club shared his story and spoke a few words of motivation for our young enthusiastic bunch of graduated students.

The degree distribution ceremony of PiCA was initiated by Prof. Kavita to the toppers of Harvard Business School online, followed by Certificates Distribution of MES Institutes PCACS (Toppers), PCE (Toppers), PICA (Toppers). Prof. Sasmit Acharekar and Prof. Vrinda Padhye announced M.Arch. students and B.Arch. students names and they were awarded the degree by Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar and Dr. Priam Pillai.

List of PICA (Toppers)-

• M.Arch. – Survana Thakare and Danish Khatri
• B.Arch. – Shreya Nachane, Mugdha Dhavale and Bhagyashree Angchekar.

These students were felicitated with all other departments’ toppers.

Mementos in the form of Green sash (M.Arch.) and Blue sash (B.Arch.) were given to all graduates along with degree certificates. Each time the anchoring for the different department convocation certificate distribution was done by senior faculties of that particular institute. Group photographs were clicked for each department separately. The program concluded around 5:00 p.m. with the vote of thanks by Prof. Sasmit and Prof. Vrinda, followed with National Anthem and Academic procession to leave the venue with all the dignitaries, H.O.Ds / Coordinators of the event.

Pandemic had led a huge difference in the academics. Due to which many programs were on hold. Hence, to honor our beloved students from last 2 batches with pride and dignity, convocation ceremony was held on 25th February, inviting them with their greatest support- their parents with them. Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai, Chairman, MES graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

The Program initiated with the lighting of lamp By Chief guest Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai Sir, Principal Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar and Senior Faculty members of PiCA followed by felicitation of chief guest. Prof. Kavita Pradhan delivered the welcome address to the students and guests. Further, Principal addressed the fresh graduates from PICA wishing them best for their future. Dr. Vasudevan Sir then shared his experiences and words of wisdom with the students with respect to the present situations.

Then, the award ceremony initiated by Prof. Kavita Sawant awarding the PGMA (Pradnya Gharat Memorial Awards), Best Thesis Awards and the best all-rounder of the year awards. Followed was the convocation ceremony of M.Arch. students and B.Arch. students respectively for batches of A.Y. 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Mementos in the form of grey stoles (M.Arch.) and Maroon Stoles (B.Arch.) were given to all graduates. The award ceremony concluded by screening the videos full of memories, drafting and Study tour stories and remembering our beloved Prof. Venky Sir. The program concluded with the vote of thanks by Prof. Sarojini Lohot and the batch wise photo.

We are pleased to announce that the Pillai College of Architecture’s Convocation Ceremony 2020 was held on 10th January, 2020. Graduating students of B.Arch. batch graduating in April 2019, B.Arch. batch graduating in October 2018 and their family members were present at the ceremony. Honourable COO of MES, Dr. Priam Pillai graced the occasion with his presence as the Chief Guest and gave an inspirational address to the new graduates. Among the other dignities were the respected Founder and Chairman of MES, Dr. Vasudevan Pillai, the Principal of PiCA Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar and Dr. Arif Merchant.

Convocation Ceremony Program
2.45: Assemble at Auditorium
3.00: Welcome message by Prof. Kavita Pradhan
3.05: Felicitation of Chief Guest – Dr. Priam Pillai by Principal Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar
3.10 – 3.20: Address by Principal Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar
3.20 – 3.30: Address by Chief Guest Dr. Priam Pillai
3.30: Graduation certificates distribution

1. B.Arch. Batch 2018 &
2. B.Arch. Batch 2019

4.30: Vote of Thanks by Dr. Aruna Reddy
4.40: Convocation class Pictures
5.00: Tea, Coffee refreshments in canteen.

Program Minutes:
Pillai College of Architecture’s Convocation Ceremony 2020 was held on 10th January, 2020. Graduating students of B.Arch. batch graduating in April 2019, B.Arch. batch graduating in October 2018 and their family members were present at the ceremony.

Welcome message was given by Prof. Kavita Pradhan.

Principal Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar felicitated the Chief Guest by giving him a pot of plant. She then addressed the students and gave a motivational speech.

Honourable COO of MES, Dr. Priam Pillai graced the occasion with his presence as the Chief Guest and gave an inspirational address to the new graduates. Respected Founder and Chairman of MES, Dr. K. M. Vasudevan Pillai graced the occasion with his presence.

Degree distribution was done by Dr. Priam Pillai followed by Dr. Sudnya Mahimkar, Dr. Arif Merchant, Prof. Shubhangi Bhide, Prof. Yusuf Pardawala and Prof. R. Venkatesh.

Dr. Arif Merchant briefly wished the students all the best for their future.

Convocation pictures of entire batch of 2019 & 2018 were taken along with faculty.

Winner of PGMA award by PiCA alumni was announced by Prof. Kavita Pradhan. The best thesis award went to Anushka Shahdadpuri of batch 2019. Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. Aruna Reddy.