City colleges to give out degrees sans convocation

City colleges to give out degrees sans convocation

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:   15.05.2020

Following the direction from Madras University, arts and science colleges in the city have decided to distribute the degree certificates to the students without conducting convocation or graduation day due to Covid-19 crisis.

The university held 162nd annual convocation on November 19, 2019 and conferred degrees to around one lakh students. After receiving the degree certificates from the university, each college would conduct graduation day and distribute degree certificates to all the students.

Due to Covid-19, colleges could not conduct convocation or graduation day. Madras University in its recent circular asked the colleges not to wait for graduation day function to distribute degree certificates to the students.

“It is not mandatory for the colleges to conduct convocation or graduation day as the degrees are already approved and awarded by the university.

“Hence, the colleges are requested to hand over the degree certificates to the students without any further delay so as to facilitate them to pursue higher education or professional career,” K Pandian, controller of examinations of Madras University said in the circular.

He also requested the colleges to collect degree certificates from controller of examination’s office.

“We used to conduct graduation day right after receiving the certificates from the university. In the present situation, I think it is not possible to think of conducting graduation day till December. So, we will follow university’s direction," said S Kothai, principal of Ethiraj College for Women.

Around 2,900 students would receive their degrees this year. Usually, the college would conduct graduation day for two days and it was one of the biggest functions in the college.

"We have received the degree certificates in the second week of February and planned to conduct convocation on March 3 and 4. But, due to Covid-19, our college postponed convocation," said M G Ragunathan, principal of Guru Nanak College. Nearly, 1,200 students were supposed to receive their degree certificates.

"It is not possible to assemble over 1,200 students at a place now. We are planning to call students branchwise and handover their certificates," he added.

Shanaz Ahamed, principal of Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women said the college would distribute the degree certificates as per the direction from the university. "We used to conduct two convocation for morning and evening shits. But, it is not be possible this year," she said.

A few colleges like Loyola have conducted their convocation and awarded the degree certificates before the Covid-19 lockdown.

We used to conduct graduation day right after receiving the certificates from the university. In the present situation, I think it is not possible to think of conducting graduation day till December. So, we will follow the direction of Madras University

S Kothai | PRINCIPAL OF ETHIRAJ COLLEGE FOR WOMEN