19th Convocation of Kumaon University held
By Our Staff Reporter
Nainital, 16 Dec: The 19th Convocation of Kumaon University was held on Monday at the DSB Campus, Nainital. During the ceremony, 89 students (63% female) were awarded medals for their exceptional achievements, while 201 PhD scholars (66% female) and 19,570 graduate/postgraduate students were conferred gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as degrees. In addition, actor Lalit Mohan Tiwari, who has brought national recognition to the state in the field of arts and theatre, was awarded a D Litt, and Professor DP Singh was conferred an honorary DSC for his significant contributions to education research and innovation.
The 19th Convocation ceremony was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Chancellor/Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd), Higher Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Vice-Chancellor Professor Diwan Singh Rawat, among others, with the lighting of the lamp. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also congratulated the degree recipients and research scholars, wishing them a bright future.
During the ceremony at the AN Auditorium in the DSB Campus, the Governor congratulated all the degree recipients. He remarked that the success of the students was the result of the efforts of both, the students and their families and mentors. The ceremony, he said, was not just about the distribution of degrees but marked a new phase in their educational journey. It is a moment when a new perspective is developed, providing the strength to contribute to the development of life, society, and the nation. He added that the youth of India, with a vision to transform the nation into a developed country and make India a global leader, are a matter of pride.
The Governor also praised Kumaon University for its innovations, research, and socially useful initiatives that have earned it recognition not only in India but across the world. He mentioned that the government is providing internal research funding for teachers and students, helping teachers with economic assistance for research work, and assisting students in patenting their innovations through the establishment of a patent cell. Additionally, financial assistance for participation in national and international seminars is being provided through seminar funding.
Higher Education Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat congratulated all the awardees and said that several states have taken significant steps in the education policy, contributing to the development of the 21st-century education system and a developed India. He mentioned that under the PM Usha scheme, Kumaon University had received a grant of Rs 100 crore to establish a Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research University (MERU), which is not only a significant achievement for the university but for the entire state. He also informed that to preserve the state’s cultural heritage, languages such as Kumaoni, Garhwali, and Jaunsari have been introduced in primary school curricula to protect these hill languages.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Diwan Singh Rawat shared the achievements of the university, stating that this year Kumaon University became the first institution in the country to implement a transparent and financially efficient open tender process for confidential printing of exam materials. He also noted that the university secured a place in the prestigious 51-100 category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) this year, and the Pharmacy Department ranked 62nd nationally. To promote a strong research culture, the university established an internal research fund, providing Rs. 1.25 crore in financial assistance to 65 teachers and launched a special financial aid programme called “Talent Hunt,” with an annual budget of Rs 30 lakh.
The programme was conducted by Professor Divya Joshi Upadhyay.
The ceremony was also attended by MLA Sarita Arya, DM Vandana Singh, SSP PN Meena, along with students and mentors.
