The Convocation ceremony for the 79th Staff Course was conducted at Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington on 13 April. The ceremony was presided over by Commandant, DSSC  Lt Gen Virendra Vats. A total of 476 officers including 36 International Officers from 26 Friendly Foreign Countries graduated from the College.

In his Convocation address, the Commandant exhorted the Future Leaders to continue in their pursuit for knowledge and be the harbinger of change in the Armed Forces. He emphasised the necessity of promoting joint culture and ethos that has been imbibed by them while at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

Meritorious Officers excelling in Military Studies and Groups achieving distinction in Exercises and Research Projects were awarded medals and felicitated during the Convocation Ceremony. The Manekshaw Medal was awarded to Maj BPS Mankotia of the Indian Army, Cdr Ravikant Tiwari of the Indian Navy and Wg Cdr T Mohan of the Indian Air Force for Overall Best in Order of Merit in their respective service. Maj C Teeneshwaran from the Republic of Singapore was awarded the Southern Star Medal, on being adjudged the Best among International Student Officers. Medals were also awarded for Academic Excellence and All Round Proficiency.

The aim of the Staff Course is to train selected officers of the three Services in command and staff functions in peace and war in their own service, inter-service and joint service environment, and to provide related general education to enable them to perform effectively in command and staff appointments.

Being one of the earliest institutions of its kind in the entire world to provide, under one roof, training to officers of three services, along with officers of the civil services, DSSC has acquired an enviable reputation both at home and abroad for its pursuit of academic excellence.