SPECIAL CONVOCATION 2021

GD Goenka University organized a special convocation on 23 November 2021 in order to present an honorary Ph.D degree, Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) to Mr. Rezwan Razack, Joint Managing Director, Prestige Group. The ceremony was organised to commemorate Mr. Rezwan Razack’s extraordinary and exhaustive research and scholarly contribution in the field of numismatics. The ceremony started with an academic procession which was followed by an Invocation. The convocation was graced by the presence of Guest of Honour Mr. Basant Bansal, Founder Chairman, M3M Group,  Mr. Rezwan Razack, Joint Managing Director, Prestige Group and Chairman of International Bank Note Society-India Banknote Collectors’ Chapter, Mrs. Renu Goenka Honorable Chancellor, GD Goenka University and Vice Chairperson GD Goenka Group, Mr. Nipun Goenka, Honorable Pro-Chancellor, GD Goenka University and Managing Director, GD Goenka Group, Prof. (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, GD Goenka University, Dr. Dhirendra Singh Parihar, Registrar, GD Goenka University, Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Kaushik, Director, Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, GD Goenka University, Deans of respective Schools, University officials and Faculty members.

After a welcome to all the dignitaries, Mrs. Renu Goenka, Honorable Chancellor and Vice Chairperson of G D Goenka University declared the convocation open. Prof. (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the University extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and his academic and administrative colleagues to this special convocation of the University. He shared about the accomplishments of the University. He shared that in order to create a culturally and experientially diverse cohort, the University has students and staff from across India and overseas. He specifically shared that it was a momentous day for the University to have dignitaries like Mr. Basant Bansal and Mr. Rezwan Razack in the campus to grace this occasion. He added that it gives us immense pleasure in conferring Mr. Rezwan Razack an honorary Ph.D degree for his immense contribution as Indian Property Developer, numismatist and coin collector. 

After Prof. (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad’s welcome address, the Citation of the degree of Mr. Rezwan Razack was read by Dr. Dhirendra Parihar, Registrar, GD Goenka University and alongside an extremely captivating video of Mr. Rezwan Razack’s achievements and accomplishments showcasing a glimpse of his hobby of note collection was played which left the audience spellbound. After this, as a recognition for Mr. Rezwan Razack outstanding work as a numismatist and coin collector, he was presented and conferred an Honorary Ph.D. degree (Honoris Causa) from GD Goenka University’s side by Mrs. Renu Goenka, Honorable Chancellor, GD Goenka University and Vice Chairperson GD Goenka Group, Mr. Nipun Goenka, Honorable Pro-Chancellor, GD Goenka University and Managing Director, GD Goenka Group, Mr. Basant Bansal, Founder Chairman, M3M Group and Prof. Dr. Tabrez Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, GD Goenka University.

Mr. Rezwan Razack in his acceptance speech expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the University and its management for conferring him with such a coveted degree. He thanked the University officials for inaugurating the Rezwan Razack’s Centre of Numismatic Studies and Research in the GD Goenka University campus. He shared about the salient features related to evolution of money and encouraged the audience to enroll in courses related to the area of numismatics. He also shared how his note-collection hobby became his passion and soon his passion turned into obsession. He also shared that he has invested long twelve years in India and globally to research in this area and published two books titled The Revised Standard Reference Guide to Indian Paper Money and One Rupee One Hundred Years 1917-2017 which are considered as Bible of Indian Numismatics. He also shared that he has been able to fulfil his long cherished dream of opening ‘Rezwan Razack’s Museum on Indian Paper Money’ in Bangalore and requested all present to visit and have a glimpse of the Indian Numismatic Heritage.

After the acceptance speech of Mr. Rezwan Razack, a video showcasing the journey of M3M group under the dynamic leadership of Guest of Honour, Mr. Basant Bansal and his son Mr. Pankaj Bansal was showcased, who also graced the occasion with his presence. The video presented how the M3M Group has brought to the Millenium City world-class designs and projects with high-end amenities, setting M3M apart as developers and providers of luxury living experiences.

The Special Convocation Ceremony was declared closed by Mrs. Renu Goenka, Honorable Chancellor and Vice Chairperson of G D Goenka University which was followed by the National Anthem. The convocation ceremony was managed, coordinated and led by Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Kaushik, Dean Student Welfare & International Relations. The ceremony culminated in precipitating glee and elation emanating brightness.

The ceremony was carried out in compliance with the government guidelines on COVID-19 pandemic.