President of India Graces 10th Convocation Ceremony of Central University of Punjab
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ March 11,2025
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced the 10th Convocation Ceremony of the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), Bathinda, as the Chief Guest. During the event, the university conferred 1,091 PG and Ph.D. degrees, awarded 43 gold medals to meritorious students, and bestowed five Honorary Causa (D.Litt.) degrees upon distinguished personalities. The convocation, held on the university campus, witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, faculty members, students, and their proud parents.
At the outset, Chancellor Prof. Jagbir Singh and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, extended a warm welcome to the President, Droupadi Murmu (Chief Guest), and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria (Guest of Honour) upon their arrival at the venue. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Cabinet Minister, Punjab, attended as Special Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, congratulated the degree recipients and applauded the gold medalists, emphasizing that the convocation marks both an achievement and a new beginning. She expressed confidence that all the students, through their conduct and contribution, would bring glory to this university, their families and the country.
She encouraged students to embrace curiosity, originality, morality, farsightedness, and spontaneity as guiding principles in life. Citing an inspiring example of originality, she highlighted the achievement of Professor Raj Kumar from the university, who received the prestigious Visitor’s Award at the Visitor’s Conference held at Rashtrapati Bhavan for his groundbreaking research in the field of cancer.
The President stated that Punjab, the land of five rivers, is blessed by the ten Sikh Guru Sahibans. She remarked that students of CU Punjab are privileged to receive their higher education in Bathinda, which is situated near Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, also known as Guru Ki Kashi.
The President praised CU Punjab’s remarkable progress, commending its commitment to academic excellence, research, and innovation. She appreciated the priority given by university to the special study of Diaspora and Migration topics and commend the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, faculty members, and their entire team for their efforts in encouraging and making teaching and research more relevant.
The President was pleased to note that the Central University of Punjab serves as a confluence of diverse cultures, with students from nearly all states and union territories and 20 foreign countries pursuing their education here. She also highlighted that the university’s teaching community reflects India’s rich diversity. She emphasized that this nationwide representation is a remarkable feature of the institution, making it a true embodiment of the country’s vibrant cultural fabric and fostering the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.’
The President acknowledged the significant presence of women in higher education in this university, noting that 65% of this year’s gold medals were awarded to female students. Encouraging graduates to contribute towards ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047,’ she urged them to use their knowledge, creativity, and skills for national progress. The President personally conferred Gold Medals upon nine students.
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, in his address, congratulated the graduates, highlighting the equal participation of female students in PG and Ph.D. degrees at CU Punjab. He applauded Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari’s leadership, which has led to remarkable achievements, including: NAAC A+ Accreditation; 83rd Rank in (University Category) and 23rd Rank in Pharmacy in NIRF 2024; Successful implementation of NEP 2020 since 2021; and National Youth Parliament Championship Recognition. He expressed confidence that CU Punjab will continue to achieve greater heights, further strengthening Punjab’s position as an educational hub.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari presented the university’s progress report, highlighting advancements in research, innovation, and NEP implementation. He highlighted that CU Punjab has made significant strides in realizing the nation’s aspiration of Atmanirbhar Bharat by fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and research among young minds through initiatives such as the NIDHI i-TBI Incubator, E-Yuva Centre, Idea Lab, and Media Literacy Hub. He urged graduates to contribute meaningfully to the development of society.
In his Presidential Address, Chancellor Prof. Jagbir Singh congratulated the degree recipients and urged them to embark on their post-academic journey with innovative ideas and a pursuit of their passions. He emphasized the importance of adopting a lifelong learner approach and encouraged them to take responsibility for societal welfare.
Box News Item: Honorary Degrees and Cultural Significance
During the convocation, CU Punjab conferred 1,031 PG degrees and 60 Ph.D. degrees upon national and international students, along with 43 gold medals to meritorious students. Additionally, Honorary Causa (D.Litt.) degrees upon five eminent personalities for their contributions to academia, culture, and social progress. Among these, three were awarded in person, one in absentia, and one posthumously. The Honorary Causa Degree and Ph.D. Degree conferment ceremony was held after the departure of the President of India. The distinguished personalities who were conferred with Honorary Causa (D.Litt.) degrees include:
- Padma Bhushan Prof. Sardara Singh Johl, an eminent agricultural economist;
- Padma Bhushan Anupam Kher, a renowned actor, social worker, and ambassador of Indian culture;
- Padma Bhushan Prof. (Dr.) Bibek Debroy (Honoris Causa, Posthumously), a noted economist and Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India;
- Phunchok Stobdan, a distinguished Buddhist scholar;
- Karam Tej Singh Sarao, a highly respected academician with significant contributions to the Indian education system, societal development, and cultural enrichment.
The convocation also celebrated Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, with faculty members wearing traditional white kurta-pajamas and salwar-kameez adorned with Phulkari stoles.
Dr. Vijay Sharma, Registrar, led the academic procession with the university flag and delivered the formal vote of thanks.
