Guv orders VNSGU to hold convocation offline

Guv orders VNSGU to hold convocation offline

TNN | Feb 9, 2021, 04.45 AM IST

Surat: Top brass of the Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) has been forced to do a volte-face after the Gujarat governor ordered the varsity to hold its forthcoming annual convocation offline.

The university had extended an invitation to the state governor for the 52nd convocation which it had decided to organise online. The convocation is scheduled on February 26.

By virtue of his post, governor Acharya Devvrat is chancellor of all state universities except M S University and presides over annual convocation ceremonies. But the reply that the university received from governor’s office has left the officials in a quandary.

VNSGU had invited Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog as chief guest for the online convocation ceremony but in the changed circumstances it remains to be seen whether Kant remains physically present. Like some other state universities, Kant can also address the ceremony virtually.

“Considering, government guidelines and other limitations due to the global pandemic, we had earlier decided in favour of online convocation. But since it is an order from the governor office, we will hold it offline now,” said a senior university official, “we have already started preparing for it.”

The highest academic ceremony is likely to be held at VNSGU’s convention hall which has a seating capacity of 1,200 persons. Owing to the pandemic, the university may allow only 600 persons inside the hall.

“The seating arrangement will be done maintaining social distancing for students and the senators. Convocation is a lifetime memory for any student and they will be happy,” said Hemali Desai, in-charge vice-chancellor of VNSGU.