This year, we had our first-ever South Asian Convocation. This was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute at Harvard University and student-run South Asian Organizations on campus including the South Asian Association, the Bengali Association of Students at Harvard, and the Pakistani Student Association.

Convocation is a big welcome event, mainly for the first-year class, however students from all classes attend. Being a senior, this would be my first and last South Asian Convocation at Harvard. There is a Harvard College-organized Convocation before classes start. Following this, there are affinity group convocation ceremonies that take place throughout the month including Black Convocation, Arab Convocation, the First-Generation, Low-Income Convocation, and more! 

First, we took class photos at Epworth church where the ceremony happened. 

Class Photos 

Class of 2025

Class of 2026

Class of 2027

Class of 2028

Graduate Students 

Afterward, we took our seats and began the ceremony with an opening speech from the president of the South Asian Association. 

Then, the executive director of the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute at Harvard University, Hitesh Hathi spoke about community engagement, leadership, and opportunities. 

Following this, alumni speaker Asmer Safi ‘24 talked about the importance of being a leader, speaking up, and supporting our community within and beyond Harvard. 

Then, the student organization leaders from Ghungroo, Sikhs and Companions of Harvard Undergraduates (SACH), the South Asian Men’s Collective, the Pakistani Student Association, the Bengali Association of Students at Harvard, Dharma, the Harvard Islamic Society, the South Asian Women’s Collective, the Nepali Student Association, and Raunak spoke about their organization. 

Finally, we finished off the ceremony with amazing performances by the Bhangra dance team, the Deepam dance team, and singing from the South Asian Music Association. And of course, food was served including momo, chot poti, and butter chicken. That is a wrap on our first-ever South Asian Convocation.

This was my first and last South Asian Convocation at Harvard, and it was truly a memorable experience. It was nice being able to see old faces, meet new ones, and overall connect with the South Asian community. We were able to celebrate our vibrant culture and introduce the many South Asian student organizations on campus. I am excited to see the growth of South Asian Convocation in the future and the accomplishments of the future South Asian leaders at Harvard.