HRD Ministry Urges Universities to Hold Convocations Every Year
- HRD Ministry has urged universities in India to hold convocations every year as it marks a significant day in a student's life.
- Varsity officials are of the opinion that the process requires finances which limits them to conducting ceremonies once in three or four years.
The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has urged all the universities to hold annual convocation every year. In May 2018, President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind had raised the issue with the HRD officials and vice-chancellors of central universities at the Visitor’s Conference.
During the conference, President Kovind indicated that awarding degrees annually while conducting convocation ceremonies is significant, as it plays a vital role in a student’s life. On the other hand, receiving a degree at the convocation ceremony is a matter of pride to parents. Therefore, varsities must keep these aspects in mind and hold convocations annually, he stated.
President Kovind also directed the universities to submit a list of the last held convocation and next one scheduled as early as possible. Many universities do not hold annual convocation to award degrees to students on a regular basis.
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For instance, Visva Bharati University, West Bengal organised its convocation in May this year. The last convocation of the varsity took place in 2013. Similarly, the Central University of Tripura conducted its convocation after four years and awarded degrees to scholars from all the years.
HRD Ministry has written to all the universities to follow the instructions of President Kovind and hold annual convocations. It is one of the important events of the varsity, which must take place on a regular basis. If varsities hold convocations every three or four years, it becomes inconvenient to both students and the varsity. It is difficult to award degrees in one go, mentioned the HRD Ministry.
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A senior official of a popular university pointed out that the varsity has to arrange finances for holding the convocation. Sometimes, it is difficult to plan a grand event like a convocation with limited financial resources. On the other hand, planning the event takes a lot of time and deviates the varsity from its actual academic activities. Inviting a renowned personality as the chief guest is also not an easy task, he explained.
HRD Ministry also directed varsities to improve their research output by getting more patents and citations.