The Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) is hosting its 18th convocation on November 30 on its campus at Rono Hills amid strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols issued by the central and state governments.
State Governor and RGU’s Chief Rector, Brig (Retd) B D Mishra will deliver the presidential address while Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ will be the chief guest and deliver the convocation address.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju has also consented to attend the event as the guest of honour and address the convocation, RGU officials said.
RGU vice-chancellor Saket Kushwaha, who will step in for the chancellor during the convocation, said that while the Covid-19 pandemic was a serious challenge for all across the globe, it was important to uphold the tradition of having the university convocation every year.
“We took a decision to hold the convocation in a blended mode and by observing all the Covid-19 SoPs very strictly, because we firmly believe in finding ways for the institution to function and grow in the face of challenges. This is one way of taking that step towards the new normal,” he said.
A maximum of 200 people will be allowed in the university’s 1,000-seat convention hall for the convocation. They will include members of the university’s court comprising those in RGU’s Executive Council, Academic Council, deans and heads of departments.
Only the candidates for PhD, MPhil and the gold medalists of post-graduate and under-graduate courses from affiliated colleges of the university have been invited to be present at the event. All the other degrees will be conferred on the students in absentia.
In all, 6,712 students including 39 PhD scholars, 66 MPhil scholars, 572 students in post-graduate and 6,035 students in under-graduate courses shall be conferred degrees at this convocation. Among them are 52 gold medalists including 25 in graduation, 24 in post-graduation and one in MPhil besides the recipients of the VC’s Medal awarded to the overall topper of the under-graduate courses and the Chancellor’s Medal awarded to the PG topper.
Parents of the candidates, invited guests, faculty members and administrative staff of the university are expected to attend the event online.
Reviewing the ongoing preparations, RGU pro-vice-chancellor Amitav Mitra, registrar N T Rikam and controller of examinations Bijay Raji expressed their confidence that given the diligent planning and build-up to the event, the convocation would be a landmark event this year.