JNU to hold 2nd convocation after 46 years

The Jawaharlal Nehru University is set to hold its second convocation since its inception in 1969 after a gap of 46 years.

The prestigious university has decided to hold the convocation ceremony on August 8.

A Scientist and former director general of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) V K Saraswat, who was appointed as the chancellor of the university last year, will be the chief guest at the function, an official told DH.

The JNU organised its first convocation for the award of PhD degrees to students in 1972, three years after it was established. Noted journalist, educationist and diplomat G Parthasarathy were then the Vice-Chancellor of the university.

“The second convocation of the JNU has been scheduled to be organized on August 8, 2018, at the Convention Centre of the JNU,” the varsity administration said in a notification on Saturday.

All research scholars, who have completed the requirements for the PhD degree, between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, are eligible for the conferment of PhD degree at the convocation.

“Students, who have qualified for the award of the doctoral degree, need to register only through online mode,” it also added.

Satish Chandra Garkoti, a professor in the JNU's school of environmental sciences, said the university administration decided to organise convocation for the award of PhD degrees after a gap of these many years for the students.

“Our vice-chancellor (M Jagadesh Kumar) and others in the team felt that the university should hold convocation ceremony to award PhD degrees to its students who spend five-six years in the institutions and leave with their degree without any formal ceremony. We felt it's not good,” he told DH when contacted.

Garkoti, however, refrained from commenting on why the university did not organise any convocation after 1972.

“We do not know why convocation ceremony was not organised in last 46 years. We only understand that it should be held for the students,” he said.