A grand felicitation ceremony was organized at Sri Ramakrishna Degree College (Autonomous), Nandyal, to celebrate the prestigious achievement of Dr. G. Hemanth Reddy, Director of the College, on being awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The event reflected not only an individual academic accomplishment but also the institution’s commitment to excellence in higher education and research.

The programme commenced with a formal welcome, followed by a classical dance performance by students, which added a cultural and vibrant atmosphere to the celebration. Prof. G. Ramakrishna Reddy, Chairman of Sri Ramakrishna Educational Institutions; Smt. V. Vijayakumari, Secretary; Sri K.B.V. Subbaiah, Principal; Smt. A.S. Pragathi, Dean of Academics; faculty members; and non-teaching staff felicitated Dr. Hemanth Reddy with shawls, flower garlands, bouquets, and mementoes. Faculty members from various departments appreciated his dedication and academic journey.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. U.V.S. Kumar, Head of the Department of Computer Science, stated that earning a Ph.D. is akin to a long and dedicated journey requiring perseverance, commitment, and patience. He praised Dr. Hemanth Reddy for successfully balancing administrative responsibilities with research pursuits.

Senior faculty member Sri Venkata Rao described the doctoral degree as one of the highest academic distinctions and said that Dr. Hemanth Reddy’s achievement had further enhanced the prestige of the institution. Faculty members Dr. Lalitha Saraswathi, Sri Ratna Rami Reddy, and Principal Sri K.B.V. Subbaiah also congratulated him and highlighted his contributions as an educator, mentor, and visionary leader.

Smt. A.S. Pragathi, Dean of Academics, expressed her happiness and pride in witnessing Dr. Hemanth Reddy’s accomplishment, describing his passion for learning and research as a constant source of inspiration.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. G. Ramakrishna Reddy, Chairman of the Institution, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement and encouraged faculty members to make effective use of the college’s state-of-the-art Research Centre. He assured full financial and moral support from the management to all faculty members interested in pursuing research activities.

In his heartfelt response, Dr. G. Hemanth Reddy thanked the Chairman, management, colleagues, family members, students, and well-wishers for their unwavering support. He informed that he was awarded his Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. P. Rajender of Chaitanya University, Warangal, for his research titled “Impact of Zero Moment of Truth (ZMOT) on Brand Equity: A Study with Reference to Electronic Products in Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh.” The study examines how online information accessed by consumers before purchasing electronic products influences brand equity.

Dr. Hemanth Reddy dedicated his doctoral degree to his father, Prof. G. Ramakrishna Reddy, and emphasized that the achievement belongs to the entire Sri Ramakrishna College family. He encouraged faculty members to actively engage in research, stating that teachers should not only disseminate knowledge but also contribute to creating new knowledge through scholarly inquiry.

He expressed special gratitude to his wife, Smt. A.S. Pragathi, for her constant encouragement and support throughout his doctoral journey. He also thanked the management of Chaitanya University, his department colleagues, and his former MBA students who attended the programme to congratulate him.

The celebration became even more memorable as alumni Javed, Nadeem, and Vinay joined the occasion, cut a cake with their beloved Director, and extended their heartfelt wishes. The programme concluded on a joyous note with a formal Vote of Thanks.