Missing fee records: GU withholds degrees

Missing fee records: GU withholds degrees 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  20.03.2025

Ahmedabad : A new controversy has emerged at Gujarat University’s animation department regarding fee-related issues of reserved category students. Recently, students raised concerns about their mark sheets and degree certificates being withheld due to unpaid fees. However, university officials have now admitted that they do not have any statistical data on how many students paid their fees. A student leader formally requested the exact figures, but the university failed to provide any details. It was also revealed that the former coordinator, Kawaljit Lakhtariya, did not maintain proper records regarding fee payments. Due to this lack of data, the department has withheld the mark sheets and degree certificates of all students, causing severe inconvenience. Additionally, the newly appointed in-charge registrar has also confirmed that no official records of fee payments are available. As a result, only students who can personally provide proof of payment are receiving their mark sheets, while others remain deprived. The incident has raised serious concerns about the university’s administrative efficiency, and students are demanding an immediate resolution to the issue.

Those going abroad to get degrees early VNSGU Board Grants Approval

Those going abroad to get degrees early VNSGU Board Grants Approval

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 09.01.2025

Surat : In an important move, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) decided to award early degrees to students planning to pursue higher studies or jobs abroad. This aims to ease the longstanding challenges faced by students who waited for convocation to receive their degrees. On Wednesday, the university board gave in-principle approval to amend statute-63, enabling the Vice Chancellor to confer degrees before convocation. However, these degrees will still be formally notified during the convocation by the registrar. 

The rule will benefit not only Indian students but also international students studying at VNSGU. VNSGU vice-chancellor Dr Kishorsinh Chavda told TOI that students previously endured delays, as convocations are typically held within 120 days of the results. With the proposed amendment, degrees could be awarded within 30 days of the announcement of results, potentially by the end of May or early June, once all formalities are completed. 

Under the new statute 63(A), students who fulfil academic and financial requirements and submit required theses or disserta -tions will be eligible for early degrees. International students, too, can avail of this provision if they can prove the necessity to return to their home country before the convocation date. To apply for ane arlydeg ree, students must submit a formal application, pay the prescribed fees, and provide supporting documents. 

This streamlined process aims to save students up to a year in their academic and professional pursuits. Previously, students received their degrees during convocations held in Sep, followed by a three- month wait for govt formalities. This often caused them to miss international academic year intakes starting in Jan, forcing them to wait an entire year. The early degree initiative will allow students to complete govt of India formalities by Aug-Sep, enabling them to start their 
admission processes in time for the January academic term abroad

IIT-Kgp director focuses on ‘failures’ in his last convocation address ‘Couldn’t Start Hosp, Malaysia Campus’

IIT-Kgp director focuses on ‘failures’ in his last convocation address ‘Couldn’t Start Hosp, Malaysia Campus’ 

Dipawali.Mitra@timesofindia.com 31.12.2024

Kolkata : Besides highlighting the achievements and rankings of IIT-Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) over the past few years, the institute’s director VK Tewari also emphasized on some ‘failures’ during his tenure while addressing its 70th convocation ceremony on Monday, when his term at the IIT also came to an end. Tewari spoke about the failure to set up the IIT Malaysia campus and start medical education at IIT-Kharagpur. “We wanted to start IIT Malaysia but due to some technical reasons we failed in that. So I take the responsibility. We also failed in getting medical education…The hospital was ready in 2018 itself but I think there were no ef forts. When I took over, Covid also took over and from that time, I was trying to set up the medical college but failed four times,” said Tewari, while he was referring to the medical college named as Dr BC Roy MultiSpecialist Research Centre

Referring obliquely to the recent controversy regarding the shifting of BC Roy Technology Hospital (BCRTH) to Syama Prasad Mookerjee Superspeciality Hospital (SPMSH), Tewari said they tried to start SPMSH and only the OPD services began. “We are in the process of starting the IPD (in-patient department) services at the superspeciality hospital,” said the outgoing director, adding, “We failed in answering questions of some of our friends because the requirements were something different.” Earlier, the campus had witnessed protests from students, campus residents, and teachers over the relocation of the BCRTH to SPMSH, which is four kilometres from the campus. Amidst pressure, the administration kept the relocation “in abeyance.” In Sept, the IIT Teachers’Association wrote to the union education minister alleging that the director had failed to start the hospital, medical college and the overseas campus projects. This letter sparked a rift between teachers and authorities. 

Highlighting the positive aspects, Tewari said in three-and-a-half years, the institute had achieved 400 patents. According to him, the institute is diligently working towards the G-20 declarations in 12 major areas. Tewari shared that during his tenure he ensured that the IIT campus became a safe and secure zone with monitoring at the entry and exit points. He also said that he was able to solve the water crisis, which was a perennial problem at the campus. Chancellor of the University of California, San Diego, Pradeep K Khosla, who is also an alumnus of IIT-KGP, was the chief guest. Former vice-chairman of UGC and national research professor, ministry of Ayush, Bhushan Patwardhan, was the guest of honour. 

A total of 3,456 degrees comprising 480 PhDs were conferred. Thirteen distinguished alumni awards, seven Life Fellow Awards, and one Lifetime Achievement Award were also given. IIT-Varanasi head as interim director Director of IIT-Varanasi, Amit Patra, has been given the additional charge of IIT-KGP as its interim director until further order or new appointment after the tenure of VK Tewari ended on Monday. “The handover is likely to take place on Tuesday,” sources said. Patra was also the deputy director of IIT-KGP. Interview for the next director already took place.

Over 13k get degrees at MSU convocation

Over 13k get degrees at MSU convocation 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 30.12.2024

Vadodara : As many as 13,682 students were conferred degrees, while 195 were conferred gold medals during the M S University’s 73rd annual convocation ceremony on Sunday. With Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who was invited as the chief guest, skipping the ceremony, the convocation was organised without a chief guest. The Vice President gave his consent to be present at the ceremony after being approached by Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi, who invited him to grace the ceremony as chief guest. However, with former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh passing away and the govt of India declaring national mourning, the Vice President could not attend the function. Sunday’s ceremony lacked the enthusiasm that usually surrounds the biggest academic function of the university. 

Former senate and syndicate members rued the fact that the university vice chancellor, Professor Vijay Srivastava, did not invite them to the function, even as there were murmurs that Joshi, who was instrumental in inviting the Vice President for the ceremony, himself preferred to stay away. Srivastava is being blamed for the delay in organising the convocation, which is supposed to be held by the end of Sept. The delay in organising the convocation led to protests by ABVP and a plea in the Gujarat high court by a parent whose daughter faced problems in getting her degree on time for admission abroad. On Sunday, Srivastava said that the university will be organising the convocation every year on Sept 5 from 2025 onwards. He, however, did not clarify the reason behind delaying the convocation ceremony this year. Ironically, Srivastava’s tenure is ending in Feb next year. He is lobbying hard to get a second term. Earlier, too, syndicate members of MSU had passed a resolution to organise the convocation on Teachers’ Day, but the resolution was not implemented.

Ph. D scholar presents petition to Governor during convocation

Ph. D scholar presents petition to Governor during convocation

The Hindu Bureau 30.10.2024 

TIRUCHI 30.10.2024 

A Ph.D research scholar F. Israel Inbaraj, 51, presented a petition, complaining about the treatment meted out to research scholars, to Governor R.N. Ravi on the dais during the Bharathidasan University convocation on Tuesday. Mr. Inbaraj presented the petition to the Governor while receiving the degree from him, causing a flutter.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, the Chennai-based management professional said he had a passion for teaching and had earned six degrees. “I applied for a Ph. D in Human Resource Management at BDU in 2017, but was able to get my degree only after six years. There are many others like me who have been suffering. I decided to present a petition to the Governor-Chancellor to inform him about the treatment meted out to research scholars at the university,” Mr. Inbaraj told The Hindu.

He said that paperwork delays by the university had created many procedural problems.

He had petitioned the Governor for a more humane treatment of research scholars and clear guidelines on submissions. He had complained about the arbitrary rejection of journal publications because of frequent changes in the University Grants Commission-Consortium for Academic Research and Ethics (UGC-CARE) list.

“My petition was made on behalf of all the aspiring research scholars,” he said.

‘Indian doctors and healthcare professionals are a class apart’

‘Indian doctors and healthcare  professionals are a class apart’

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi handing over a degree to a graduand at the convocation held on Thursday.B. Velankanni Raj

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI 25.10.2024 

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi on Thursday distributed medical degrees to graduands at the 37th convocation of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in Chennai.

A total of 35,793 candidates, both in person and in absentia, were awarded post-doctoral, doctoral, postgraduate, and undergraduate degrees and diplomas in the medical, dental, AYUSH, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and allied health science courses.

Speaking at the function, Vivek Lal, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, stressed the importance of commitment in medical practice.

“This degree is the result of a big asset that all of you have. That is the commitment. It comes before equipment. Medicine is all about committed healthcare professionals. Equipment and technology do play a part. But if you want to exploit technology, you have to be committed.”

He said Indian doctors and healthcare professionals are the best in the world. “In the United States, the second largest [health] care-givers to U.S. citizens are Indians... Our healthcare professionals and doctors are a class apart.” Because of doctors’ commitment, the country was able to bounce back from COVID-19, though India has a rudimentary infrastructure, compared with the Western countries, he added.

“In our ecosystem, our patients think of us [doctors] as Gods. Not so in the West. They think that if a doctor cures a patient, it is his duty. The relationship between a doctor and a patient is through insurance and everything ends there. In India, if a doctor cures a patient, he becomes a family member of that patient,” he said. K. Narayanasamy, Vice-Chancellor of The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, former Vice-Chancellors, faculty members, and parents were among others present. Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian, whose name was on the invitation, was not present.

Guv welcomed with ‘Dravida nal thirunadu’ posters

Guv welcomed with ‘Dravida nal thirunadu’ posters 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 24.10.2024

Dindigul : Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi awarded degrees to graduates at the 31st convocation ceremony of Mother Teresa Women’s University on Wednesday and interacted with students at Sankara Vidyalaya in Kodaikanal. However, his visit to the hill station was marked by protests over a recent controversy involving omission of ‘Dravida Nadu’ from the ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ at an event he attended. 

At the convocation, the governor awarded degrees to 6,587 graduates, including 373 in attendance. Among them, 70 received doctoral degrees, and 16 were awarded gold and silver medals. Vice-chancellor Kala Sethupathi highlighted the institution’s achievements for the academic year 2023-24. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, delivered the convocation address, emphasizing the importance of societal contribution over economic success. 

“Every challenge is an opportunity in disguise, and education equips you with the skills to be adapt able and resilient,” she told the graduates, stressing the role of women as catalysts for change. During his visit to Kodaikanal, Ravi also engaged with students at Sankara Vidyalaya School, encouraging them to uphold virtues like honesty, integrity, and cleanliness, and to pursue a healthy lifestyle. He urged them to read more books for knowledge, beyond just social media. Meanwhile, members of the Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam held a black flag protest at Munjikkal in Kodaikanal, criticizing the governor for allegedly disrespecting Tamil culture. The protest was linked to the recent controversy over the omission of ‘Dravida Nadu’ from the ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu.’ Posters featuring a line from the song were also displayed.

Governor confers degrees on graduands at MKU’s convocation

Governor confers degrees on graduands at MKU’s convocation

Governor R.N. Ravi conferring degree on a graduand at the convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University on Tuesday. R. ASHOK

The Hindu Bureau  MADURAI  23.10.2024 

Governor R.N. Ravi conferred degrees on graduands at the 56th annual convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University on Tuesday.

A total of 54,714 candidates received their degrees. It includes 353 Ph.D degrees, 1 D.Litt degree and 26,306 male and 28,408 female candidates. Further, 77 were honoured with endowment prizes and medals for their performance.

Dr. Sudha Seshayyan, Vice-Chairperson, Central Institute of Classical Tamil, delivering the chief guest address, said that though technological development had reached greater heights, it had become a tool of fear and oppression.

“As technology is a boon to achieve higher goals, it is equally true that technology is a bane that has gone beyond our control,” she noted.

“As we have gone deep into new digital innovations, we have lost human contacts and communication. Gadgets have eaten much into our lives. Correspondence by hand–written letters, exchange through postal system and shopping by manual presence have all become obsolete,” Dr. Sudha Seshayyan said. She urged the students to hold on to the Indian perspective of knowledge and learning.

“The Indian tradition has always emphasised life-long learning. However, it is not a plain emphasis on continuous learning but a clear and categorical expression that learning can never be complete,” she added.

E. Sundaravalli, Commissioner of Collegiate Education, welcomed. Minister for Higher Education Govi Chezhiaan, Pro-Chancellor of the university, was not present at the convocation.

S. Pushparaj, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Econometrics, MKU, sent a letter to the State government stating that he was boycotting the convocation as Mr. Ravi, who was the Chancellor, was acting against the norms of the State and its tradition.

By removing certain words from the ‘Tamil Thai Vaazhthu’ he had insulted the State, he said.