Sudha Murthy Urges Students to Chart Their Own Path at AU’s Waves 2025

Visakhapatnam: Rajya Sabha member and Infosys Foundation chairperson Sudha Murthy on Saturday urged students to pursue lifelong learning, uphold moral values and chart their own paths, while addressing alumni and students at Andhra University’s annual alumni meet, Waves 2025.

Speaking as the chief guest, Sudha Murthy paid tribute to the century-long legacy of Andhra University and the sacrifices of its founders. “A university is a temple of learning. Students must remember the sacrifices behind its creation and shape their futures with responsibility,” she said.

Emphasising continuous learning, she remarked that ageing begins when people stop learning and questioning. “Learning throughout life brings happiness,” she said, advising students to set their own goals and “run their own marathon”.

Drawing from Indian mythology, she cited stories of the Ganga and the dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama to highlight the values of charity, discipline and mental strength, especially as wealth and success grow. She noted that while universities provide guidance through syllabi and teachers, life presents challenges without such structure.

Referring to emerging technologies, Sudha Murthy said tools like ChatGPT cannot replace professional experience. She stressed the importance of teamwork, patience and accepting reality in personal and professional life.

Addressing the gathering, AU Alumni Association founding chairman Dr G.M. Rao highlighted Visakhapatnam’s emergence as a major economic hub, citing investments such as Google’s proposed data centre, Reliance–Meta projects and the upcoming Bhogapuram international airport.

AU Vice-Chancellor Prof. G.P. Rajasekhar said the centenary-year university is planning for the next 100 years with a strong focus on women’s empowerment, noting that women now head several key academic positions at the institution.