Bathinda
12 April 2023
DIVYA AZAD
The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) organised its 8th Convocation ceremony at its campus on Wednesday. The Hon’ble Chancellor of the University, Prof. Jagbir Singh, presided over the ceremony. Padma Bhushan Prof. P. Balaram, Former Director of the Indian Institute of Science and Emeritus Professor, Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, graced the programme as the Chief Guest and delivered the convocation address. Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, graced the occasion as the special guest.
During the Eighth Convocation, a total of 892 PG/PhD degrees were conferred in hybrid mode, which included 854 Post Graduate Degrees and 38 PhD Degrees. Gold Medals were bestowed on 39 meritorious students who secured the first position in their respective discipline. Out of 854 PG degrees, around 9 degrees were conferred on international students belonging to Afghanistan and Swaziland. In this convocation, the conferment of degrees was held in hybrid mode, with 499 degrees presented in physical mode and the remainder in online mode.
The Chief Guest, Padma Bhushan Prof. P. Balaram, congratulated the graduating students and winners of gold medals. In his convocation lecture, Prof. Balaram encouraged the CUPB fraternity to understand and recognize the factors inhibiting old universities for developing the aura of scholarship that characterises great centres of learning. He mentioned that the government has established IISERs to recognise the importance of embedding undergraduate science education in an environment that fosters research and to boost the curiosity of students in science, which has dwindled over the last few decades. While highlighting the progress in science, Prof. Balaram mentioned that major revolutions in science and technology rested on fundamental breakthroughs in physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, mathematics, and computer science, often the result of decades of painstaking research. It is therefore important that governments across the world take the long view of science. Prof. Balaram cited various discoveries made in the last 400 years to state that every research breakthrough helps in opening up a new dimension, as the invention of the telescope opened the field of cosmology and the creation of the microscope widen the sphere of microbiology, the discovery of X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the 20th century revolutionised medicine discipline, etc. But the threats of crumbling food scarcity measures in many countries as a consequence of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the prevailing cold war are denying human populations the benefits accrued by centuries of scientific advancement. We need to be reminded that the coronavirus has breached all political, religious, and ethnic boundaries, reminding us that politics and religion, two worldwide favourite pastimes, afford no protection against a force of Nature. He concluded his speech by saying that “learning is a continuous and never-ending process, and failure is common in research. Overcoming the fear of failure is the first step towards success.
While congratulating degree recipients, Hon’ble Chancellor, Prof. Jagbir Singh, in his Presidential Address, encouraged the outgoing students to work on innovative ideas and choose the profession of their interest. He quoted verses of Vishnu Purana, i.e. sā vidyā yā vimuktaye and tat karma yan na bandhāya, he stated that in our civilizationeducation is seen as a tool of holistic development. He exhorted the youngsters to perform their duties sincerely, while observing proper detachment from the materialistic world. He also quoted verses from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Vani Vidya vichari tan parupkari to encourage young graduates to acquire true wisdom in life by making people’s welfare their aim in life. Prof. Jagbir Singh motivated degree recipients to adopt the attitude of lifelong learning and use their knowledge for the welfare of the nation.
At the start of the programme, CUPB Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari delivered the welcome address and presented the university’s progress report, where he shed light on the university’s achievements and best practises. He highlighted that it is a matter of great satisfaction that the university has been accredited with ‘A+’ grade by the NAAC in its second cycle of accreditation and has secured the 81st position in the NIRF in 2022 in the University Category. He emphasised that CUPB students strength lies in the fact that the university trains them to be future-ready in academics, industry, administration, and other walks of life. He praised CUPB faculty and research scholars for maintaining a strong publication profile in the last year by publishing more than 650 research papers in highly indexed journals and receiving extramural grants. He exhorted the students that through this ceremony we are handing you over to the society and the nation. Prof. Tiwari inspired young graduates to always remember the sacrifices made by the entire family of Dashmesh Pita Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji for the unity and integrity of the nation, and Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s proclamation of “With your hands carve out your own destiny” and derive inspirations for conducting yourself in Life.
On this occasion, Prof. R.K. Wusirika, Dean Incharge Academic, administered the pledge to the degree recipients and gave them best wishes for a bright future. During this programme, Prof. B.P. Garg, Controller of Examinations and Registrar (I/c), coordinated the stage for conferring the degrees to recipients. He gave a formal vote of thanks towards the end of the programme.
