Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 22: The 7th Convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) was held here today, where Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chancellor was the chief guest.
On the occasion, the Governor awarded 931 degrees, including PhDs, Masters and Bachelors, and also presented 12 gold and 17 silver medals to meritorious students.
While addressing the students and their parents, the Governor highlighted the importance of education and said that “only education had led civilizations out of poverty to prosperity. He cited former Secretary of State of USA, Condoleezza Rice (USA) as a shining example of a person who has risen to great heights in life purely due to her educational achievements”. He emphasized that the students of Jammu and Kashmir, have high potential which is evident from the large number of students entering higher education institutions even outside the State.
The Governor said that Government is according high priority to this vital sector and added that during the recent past, 50 degree colleges have been sanctioned. Besides, 50 more degree colleges are in the pipeline to strengthen the higher education facilities in the uncovered areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He further stated that the Government is planning to set up the first Medical University soon in Jammu and Kashmir.
While congratulating the degree awardees, the Governor said that they all are about to enter the next phase of life and expressed confidence that they will contribute meaningfully for the welfare of the country in particular and humanity at large. He expressed satisfaction over the progress made by SMVDU in the short span of its existence, and hoped that the University will progress in leaps and bounds under the dynamic and able leadership of Prof. R. K. Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU.
He assured every possible support to the University for its progress so that more and more deserving students get the opportunity to be part of this important learning institution.
Prof Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU, presented a report, highlighting past achievements and future action plans. He gave details of the placements and publications brought out by the University, research projects sanctioned to the faculty and the various workshops and conferences that have been organized in the recent past. He said that University is poised to be a center of excellence with the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, which is apparent from the improvement in the ranking of the University from 94th in 2018 to 85th rank among the Engineering and Management Institutions in NIRF 2019.
Those who were awarded the Chancellor’s Gold Medal included Parth Gupta, Zuhaib Ahemad, Karuna Goyal, Shailesh Pandita, Ratandeep Sharma, Shaguna Gupta, Shriya Singh, Vimarsh Padha. Besides these, several students received University Silver medals, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Medal for Best UG and PG students and best girl students for the years 2018 and 2019.
Several eminent persons, including Dr. Ashok Bhan, Vijay Dhar both Members of SMVDSB, Prof. Manoj K. Dhar, VC, University of Jammu, Prof. A. K. Bakhshi, VC, PDM University, Umang Narula, Financial Commissioner to Governor, Simran Deep Singh, CEO., SMVDSB, Members of Executive Council and Academic Council of the University, besides several other guests including Police officers, prominent personalities from various walks of life, Faculty Members, staff, students of the University and their parents were present on the occasion.
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