IIFT Holds Its 58th Convocation; Shri Piyush Goyal Emphasizes India’s Role In Global Trade

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) held its 58th Convocation today at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The ceremony was graced by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, and presided over by Shri Sunil Barthwal, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Chancellor, IIFT.

Degrees were conferred to 709 graduating students of IIFT’s flagship MBA (International Business), MBA(Business Analytics), MA (Economics) with specialization in International Trade and Finance, Ph.D. in Management and Economics, and Executive Programmes, underscoring IIFT’s commitment to train students in the fields of International Business, Economics and Trade.

Delivering the convocation address, Shri Piyush Goyal congratulated the graduating students of the Class of 2025 and underscored that India’s strongest response to volatile and uncertain times lies in its youth — bold, resilient and relentlessly pursuing excellence.

He highlighted the role of young leaders in driving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, tackling big challenges and seizing global opportunities. Commending IIFT for preparing students to excel in international trade and commerce, he urged the graduates to leverage their skills to make India smarter and more competitive on the world stage.

The Minister also emphasised the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence, which can drive productivity in manufacturing, agriculture, trade and services, reduce foreign technology dependence, and create new opportunities for millions. He called on the graduates to embrace innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability so that India can leapfrog into a higher orbit of development.

Stressing the importance of inclusivity, he said AI and digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to bring more people up the economic ladder, empower MSMEs and strengthen the foundations of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Shri Goyal expressed confidence that the IIFT graduates would play a pivotal role in achieving the national goal of a developed India by 2047.

In his presidential address, Shri Sunil Barthwal emphasized the synergy between academia, industry, and government in advancing India’s trade agenda. He addressed the gathering and lauded IIFT’s pioneering role in trade and business education.

He applauded the triangle of IIFT, the Centre for Research in International Trade (CRIT), and the Centre for WTO Studies for their collective impact in training and empowering Indian business professionals to compete on the world stage. He further commended IIFT for offering specialised courses uniquely tailored to international trade and business, setting it apart as an institution of excellence.

Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor, IIFT, highlighted IIFT’s growing global engagement through collaborations with leading universities across Europe and Asia, noting that IIFT students have participated in exchange programmes at these institutions, while their students have also come to study at IIFT. He also appreciated the opening of the Canada Chapter of the IIFT Alumni Association, which will enhance the institute’s presence in North America and strengthen opportunities for global networking and collaboration.

He further commended IIFT’s impactful research contributions, which continue to earn recognition both in India and abroad. He proudly noted that The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was globally ranked No. 1 in Networking in LinkedIn’s Top 100 MBA Programmes in the World (2024), a recognition that strongly demonstrates the power and excellence of IIFT students and further solidifies the institute’s position at the forefront of trade and commerce education.

About IIFT

Established in 1963, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is a Deemed-to-be University under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. As a premier business school in international trade and business, IIFT offers flagship MBA programmes, executive education, and doctoral research opportunities, contributing to India’s growth in global commerce and trade policy.