LSME Annual Convocation 2024

What distinguishes the Convocation ceremonies of London School of Management Education (LSME) from others is the grandeur yet the family-like environment, where invited guests, the staff of LSME, the graduates and their families spend their cherished moments in a celebratory atmosphere. The same momentous experience was recreated for the graduating students of the year 2024. With a host of dignitaries and the academic staff, families and friends, the graduating students rejoiced in memorably receiving their diplomas and awards.

The Chief Guest of the Convocation ceremony of 2024 was Dr Nabeel Goheer, Chief of Asia, Middle East and Europe, PATH, who also served the Commonwealth Secretariat as the Assistant Secretary General. In his address, he advised the graduands, “as you step into this new phase of your lives, think about the kind of future you want to help create — one that is defined not by division, but by unity; not by exploitation, but by sustainability; not by conflict, but by cooperation.” Also, as the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers “you must find common solutions — solutions that bring people together, not divide them; solutions that are universal, timely, equitable, and sustainable. These solutions must uplift people, protect our planet, and foster economic growth without exploiting either.”

We had the honour of the presence of the Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Sheila Bain, as the Guest of Honour, and she emphasised the contributions that LSME is making to the development of the borough as an educational hub. She expressed her wish that all graduates would significantly contribute to their communities.

The Principal of LSME, Dr Sarita Parhi, delivered a brief report of the academic year highlighting the exemplary achievements made and some of the learning experiences during the academic year. She pointed to the progress made in the TEF achievements, where LSME has been designated Gold status for Student Experience and Silver for Student Outcomes. She also thanked the support of the students in participating in the National Student Survey (NSS) and acknowledged the contributions of their college to their learning experience at LSME. LSME has achieved an astounding high student satisfaction rate in the NSS 2024.

In addition, students provided their testimonies of experiences, expressing their emotional highs when attending their graduation, which feels surreal as many of them lacked confidence in their abilities when they joined their course. They felt they had achieved their dreams and thanked their teachers and the college for immensely contributing to their growth and reshaping their future.

The Chair of the LSME Board informed all the graduands that from today, they will be referred to as ‘educated people’; hence, they are responsible for making a difference in the world as ‘educated people’.

The Chief Guest, Dr Nabeel Goheer, Guest of Honour, the Mayor of Redbridge, Cllr Sheila Bain and the other dignitaries, along with Programme Leaders, distributed the diplomas and the awards to all the graduands while the Convocation Hall filled with cheers from the fellow students and the families and friends of the graduands. The day’s highlight was the recognition of the Student of the Year, and Farhana Yousaf collected the prestigious award. She gave an emotional statement accepting her award. She said the happiest today would be her children, who extended every support while she had to devote her time to her studies. She completed her first degree and then her Master of Education programme this year.

The graduation reception takes place at the same venue. It is a three course lunch organised for the new graduates and their guests, our distinguished quests and staff of LSME. Graduands and guests with lunch tickets can exchange their tickets for a meal.