84 to get gold medals at RGUHS convocation tomorrow

26,469 students to be awarded degrees; VP to deliver address

As many as 84 gold medals and seven cash prize awards would be awarded to medical, dental and Ayurveda students at the 20th convocation of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) on Thursday.

A total of 26,469 students would be awarded their degrees during the convocation, said Dr M K Ramesh, in-charge vice-chancellor, on Tuesday. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu will deliver the convocation address.

In all, there are 450 subjects. Previously, gold medals were given to students based on the endowments that were available for certain subjects. The varsity, however, decided to institute gold medals for all toppers in undergraduate and post-graduate degrees irrespective of the endowments.

Dr Ramesh said while Rs 80 lakh was available with the varsity from endowments, an additional Rs 16 lakh had been used from RGUHS's funds to be able to present the medals.

"We have earmarked Rs 5 crore that would be invested in a fixed deposit and gold medals would be purchased with the interest earned on this amount." From the next academic year, only overall toppers would be given gold medals.

This year, the varsity has earmarked Rs 20 crore for research activities and four principal investigators are applying for patents, Ramesh said.

Rural service

The varsity will soon adopt a village to develop it as a "smart village" where government schemes will be implemented efficiently.

In Chikkaballapur district, RGUHS, in association with NSS, will conduct a health camp to address maternal, child health and child education issues.

Saplings

Students studying in colleges affiliated to RGUHS will have to plant a sapling in a college where they are pursuing the course. They will also have the responsibility of nurturing these plants through their course.