BHU awards 14,680 degrees to UG, PG students at 103rd convocation 2023

NEW DELHI: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) awarded degrees to 14,680 students at the 103rd convocation. A total of 539 medals were conferred upon students for their achievements.

Held at the Swatantrata Bhawan, the event saw presentation of 27 medals (chancellor medals, Late Maharaja Vibhuti Narayan Singh Gold Medals, and BHU medals) to 23 students.

Those getting degrees included 7,602 undergraduate, 6,002 postgraduate, 32 MPhil, and 1,044 PhD degrees. 3D Litt are also being presented. 539 medals are being presented to students across all institutes and faculties.

Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood was invited as the chief guest and has called upon youth to push the frontiers of knowledge and translate their knowledge towards societal development. He was delivering the 103rd Convocation address at Banaras Hindu University’s Swatantrata Bhawan as he called upon the varsity to come forward and contribute in evolving technologies.

Professor Sood said that education, science, technology and innovation, with the involvement of the entire society, are the four key pillars to a strong nation. However, he also pointed out that these pillars have functioned in silos for long and it was high time that the silos were broken, calling for deeper engagement among all four of them.

The chief guest discussed the advancements and progress made by India in several other areas like health, entrepreneurship, start-ups among others, Professor Sood exuded confidence that those receiving degrees today will play an integral part in creating an environment that nurtures the spirit of innovation. Creativity should become a part of your DNA, said Prof. Sood as he encouraged them.

Delivering the welcome address Professor Sudhir Kumar Jain said BHU is celebrated for its academic heritage, and revered for blending traditional knowledge systems with modern education. The institution's ethos emphasizes social responsibility, inclusivity, and a commitment to contributing to the nation's development through education, research, and community engagement.

Sharing the progress being made by the university on various fronts, the Vice-Chancellor said the university is focusing on nurturing talent, enhancing research facilities, augmenting student support, modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing alumni engagement. Prof. Jain listed the initiatives undertaken as part of Institution of Eminence scheme to empower students and teachers and advancing BHU’s quest for excellence. He added that BHU has the responsibility, the opportunity, and the capacity to show the way forward to public universities in light of the stiff challenge and competition being posed by private universities.

The Vice-Chancellor said that, equipped with academic qualifications, and values that uphold integrity, compassion, and the pursuit of truth, the graduating students are poised to venture into the real world and make a profound impact. He appealed to them to exhibit the passion for excellence and compassion for the weak and the downtrodden and bring pride to their parents and alma mater, as he wished them success and growth.