The premier Berhampur University on Tuesday organised its 22nd convocation in a dignified manner in the presence of Chancellor of Universities and Governor Dr SC Jamir and with conferment of Honoris Causa to two noted personalities and degrees to many bonafide students.
In his speech, the Governor urged upon students to do more than they pursue their own interest for a sustainable, prosperous and equitable society.
Reading out a message of renowned anthropologist Margaret Meadm “We are faced with great opportunities which are brilliantly disguised as unsolvable problems”, the Governor said, “Addressing these challenges will require you to draw upon all of the knowledge and the aptitude you have acquired here and to proceed with equal amounts of optimism and skepticism.” He said the students should welcome and seriously consider ideas of skepticism also.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajendra Prasad Das said the university has achieved many firsts among the universities of Odisha and efforts are on to upgrade quality of research to international level and to promote innovation and creativity in teaching, learning and research by acquairing and involving more and more talented brains into the university. “Ours is the first university in the State to be accredited with A-Grade NAAC status in 2016. We became the first university to declare our PG results within a week of competion of examinations and wiin a amothe of compleation Graduation examinations,” he said.
On the occasion, the Governor conferred D Litt on Padma Bhushan Ramakanta Rath for his contribution to the field of literature and Doctor of Science (DSc) on Dr KIIT and KIIS founder Dr Achyuta Samanta for contribution to the science sector.
Expressing his gratitude over the honorary doctorate, Dr Samanta said, “I feel privileged that the honorary doctorate has been conferred on me. I am thankful to Berhampur University for the doctorate which I received for the first time from a university of Odisha.”
Besides, as many as 125 students got their PhDs while five got DLitt and LLDs during the convocation programme. Similarly, 31 students got gold medals for their outstanding performances.