57th Panjab University Convocation
Chandigarh: “Panjab University has played a significant role in Punjab’s overall contribution to national life and evoked the youth of the state to seize new opportunities to address the problems at the local, regional and national level and to uphold the banner of their alma mater”, Vice-President and chancellor of the university Hamid Ansari stated this while addressing the 57th annual convocation held on the Panjab University campus here today.
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Vice-President and chancellor of Panjab University Dr Hamid Ansari addresses the convocation.Prof R.C.Sobti, vice-chancellor, PU, is also seen in the picture. — Tribune Photo by Manoj Mahajan
He said Panjab University had emerged as a significant centre for scientific research and had been recognised by the UGC as a ‘University with a potential for excellence in bio-medical sciences’. He also referred to the work being done on the culture of Punjab by the university and acclaimed the work on the representation of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in folk literature.
He stated the challenge of the university education lied in striking a dynamic balance, which builds a future on the best elements of the past.
Earlier, Prof Isher Judge Ahluwalia, chairperson, Board of Governors, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, New Delhi, delivered the convocation address. She said educational infrastructure in Punjab was among the best of Indian states, but learning achievements at primary and upper primary level were among the worst, as revealed by some recent nationwide surveys conducted by the NCERT.
Institutions of higher learning had an important role to play in this process. In fact, they were crucial for building a knowledge base, which in turn was crucial for global competitiveness and provided a basis for sustainable growth and development in the state, she added. “National Institute of Biotechnology, Institute of Nano Technology and Public Health Foundation of India are coming to Punjab. As the Indian government is gearing up to set up 30 new central universities in the country, Punjab must attract at least two central universities in the state”, she added.
Prof R. C. Sobti, vice-chancellor of the university, outlined the achievements of the university over the years. The convocation ceremony conferred D.Litt and Doctorate of Science degree upon Dr Preetam Singh and Yash Raj, internationally renowned film producer and director, G. K. Chaddha, former vice-chancellor, Prof of economics, Jawahar Lal Nehru University and Rajinder K. Pachauri, DG TERI and a Nobel laureate for his outstanding achievements in the field of environment.
Various luminaries of the region attended the convocation. A. R. Kidwai, Governor of Haryana, Pawan Kumar Bansal, union minister of state for finance, Ashwani Kumar, minister of state for industry, S. S. Dhindsa, MP and SAD general secretary, Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Vijender Jain, Punjab health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Punjab rural development minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, and Punjab chief secretary Ramesh Inder Singh also graced the convocation.
However, some expected dignitaries were conspicuous by their absence despite their names having being announced earlier. The guests who could not turn up included Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Punjab Governor and UT administrator, Gen S. F. Rodrigues.
Source: TNS