Mumbai: The Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research (AIER) will invest ₹1,000 crore over the next five years to strengthen the institution and work towards making it a leading centre for education, research and innovation.
Congratulating the institute on its commitment at its 17th Ceremonial Convocation 2026, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the importance of research, startups and innovation in shaping the future of higher education.
He said the investment would support the institute’s ambition to become one of the best institutions.
“I would like to congratulate the AIER for resolving to invest 1,000 crores in next five years in this institution to make it the best,” Fadnavis said.
Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research Emphasises Research and Innovation
During his address at the 17th Ceremonial Convocation 2026, Fadnavis said he was pleased to learn about the institute’s contributions to research, startups and innovation while the Vice Chancellor presented the institutional report.
He emphasised that educational institutions must evolve beyond their traditional role of teaching and awarding degrees to become centres of innovation.
“Academia no more can be just a teaching institute or degree conferring institute. It has to be a institute for innovation. Every institution has to embrace innovation,” Fadnavis said.
He also stressed the importance of universities contributing directly to advances in healthcare and medical technology.
“The next drug has to come from a university. The next medtech has to come from a university,” he said, underlining the role of academic institutions in developing new medicines and medical technologies.
AI, Semiconductors and Quantum Computing to Shape the Future
Fadnavis identified artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and quantum computing as three major technological pillars expected to transform multiple sectors.
“And now we are in a phase where artificial intelligence, semiconductor and quantum computing, these three pillars are going to reshape and change every single sphere of life,” he said.
He highlighted how emerging technologies are changing the medical field, including by enabling earlier disease detection and making medical procedures more precise and less invasive.
Devendra Fadnavis said AI was helping identify diseases at earlier stages, creating opportunities for timely treatment. He also emphasised the growing importance of preventive and personalised medicine in addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
Referring to concerns around diabetes and cancer, he said technological progress and new drug discovery were encouraging developments in cancer treatment.
Research in Nutrition and Maternal Health Needs Greater Attention
Devendra Fadnavis also highlighted the importance of research into stunting, wasting, nutrition and maternal health.
While acknowledging progress in medical science, Fadnavis said challenges related to child nutrition continued to require attention because of their impact on future generations.
He stressed the need to make the benefits of research and healthcare more widely accessible, particularly to mothers and children in remote areas.
According to Devendra Fadnavis, technological advancements have expanded the ability to reach people in far-flung regions, but further efforts are needed to ensure that healthcare and research outcomes benefit all sections of society.
Women Achievers Recognised at AIER Convocation
Fadnavis also highlighted the academic achievements of women at the convocation, noting that women accounted for 85% of the medal recipients.
He congratulated the graduating students and particularly recognised Pujal Mapari for setting a new record by winning 21 gold medals and five other prizes. The previous record, he said, stood at 15 gold medals.
Devendra Fadnavis linked women’s achievements in education to India’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047, stressing the importance of bringing women into the mainstream workforce.
He also congratulated the approximately 2,300 students graduating at the ceremony and encouraged them to remain focused, continue learning and approach their future responsibilities with determination.
Fadnavis Urges Graduates to Give Back to Society
Concluding his address, Devendra Fadnavis encouraged graduates to pursue further learning, develop new skills and maintain compassion and empathy as they enter the next phase of their lives.
He said success should not be measured only by financial achievements but also by an individual’s contribution to society.
“The definition of success is not how much money you earn. The definition of success is how much you are able to give back,” Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that while technology and knowledge would play an important role in the future, empathy and compassion would remain essential, particularly in healthcare and in serving communities.
The 17th Ceremonial Convocation 2026 of the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research recognised the achievements of graduating students and highlighted the importance of investment, research, innovation and technological advancement in higher education.
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