JAMMU, MARCH 04 (KNO) : The 17th Convocation of University of Jammu for the year 2015-16 was held here at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, today. Sh. Arun Jaitley, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, was the Chief Guest and delivered the 17th Convocation Address.
Sh. Jaitely lauded the academic achievements of the University in his Convocation Address and appreciated the fact that women were far more in number than men in securing Gold Medals and Ph.D. Degrees. Governor N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of the University awarded 214 Degrees including 155 Ph.D Degrees, and Sh. Arun Jaitely gave away 59 Gold Medals, Cash Awards and Medals at the Convocation. Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Union Government, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Deputy Chief Minister, Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister, Ministers, Legislators and many distinguished guests were among those present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Chancellor thanked Sh. Jaitely for accepting his request and agreeing to address the Convocation of this University. He conveyed his best wishes to all the passing out scholars for their future careers and congratulated all those who had won medals and awards. Chancellor observed that for the students who were completing their studies and embarking on a new phase of their lives, the Convocation marks the culmination of a period in which they worked hard to complete their courses, pass examinations and compete to win awards. For members of the Faculty the Convocation is an occasion when the teachers feel rightly proud and satisfied that their sustained endeavours to impart knowledge to their pupils have borne fruit and their students have won medals and awards.
Lauding the achievements of the University, Chancellor noted that in the arena of the sciences, particularly Physics, Electronics and Biotechnology, this University has secured outstanding achievements and international recognition. He complimented the Faculties and scholars who have been involved in successful research projects which have won laurels for this institution. Chancellor observed that institutions of higher learning assume relevance and become important only when their Faculties and scholars get involved in researching and finding solutions to the major problems which are faced by the people living in the State, in the region and all over the country. He appreciated that the Biotechnology Department of this University is presently involved in researches on certain problems which are faced by horticulturists in our State and in all other parts of the country where apples are grown and observed that culmination of this ongoing research project shall engender an outcome which is truly revolutionary in increasing the productivity of apple cultivation all over the country.
Chancellor stressed the crucial responsibility of the Vice Chancellor and all members of the Faculty to take interest and get involved in the character building of students. He observed that it was extremely important that besides doing well in their studies, and securing degrees and awards, our youth must imbibe moral and ethical values.
Every good scholar must also be a good human being and have both the desire and the capacity to work for improving the society to which he belongs and constantly strives to contribute, even if in a very small measure, to building a strong and prosperous India. Chancellor advised that the men and women who pass out of the Universities need to get meaningfully involved with the resolution of societal problems and should become responsible for utilizing their knowledge and skill for promoting the welfare of the less advantaged segments of the societies in which they live.
He appealed that all those who were passing out must devote at least some of their time and resources towards spreading literacy and undertaking any task, no matter how small, which will contribute towards the alleviation of poverty and promotion of human welfare. Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Chief Minister and Pro-Chancellor of the University, in her address, said that it was heartening to note that girls were doing so well in studies. Earlier, Dr. R.D. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, presented the Vice Chancellor’s Report. He highlighted the achievements of the University and its future plan of action. He thanked the Governor for taking a keen interest in the growth and development of the University.
The proceedings of the Convocation commenced with Dr. Meenakshi Kilam, Registrar, Jammu University, seeking permission of the Chancellor and declaring open the 17th Convocation. Present on the occasion were members of the Faculty, students, parents of the students and many distinguished guests. (KNO)