Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, May 30: President Pranab Mukherjee is learnt to have given consent for his participation in the Jammu University Convocation, which is going to be held on September 1, this year.
Being held after a long gap of seven years, this will be the 13th Convocation of Jammu University.
According to official sources, President Pranab Mukherjee has accepted the formal invitation and agreed for his participation as chief guest in the 13th Convocation, which will be held at Zorawar Singh Auditorium in Jammu University.
Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chancellor of the University and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Pro-Chancellor of JU, are also understood to participate in the scheduled convocation wherein medals and certificates of merit in all the streams would be awarded, sources added.
Gearing up for preparations of the Convocation, sources further said that, the JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar has ordered constitution of more than two dozen committees for management of the mega event and nominated the conveners.
These conveners have been authorized to appoint members of the respective committees, which include; committee for cleanliness and beautification of the venue, committee for furniture, furnishing and seating arrangements, the committee for essential services, hall maintenance and discipline committees, press and publicity committee etc.
It may be recalled that the last and 12th Convocation of Jammu University was held on May 13, 2007 at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium Complex, JU. Former Sadar-e-Riyasat Dr Karan Singh, was the chief guest on that occasion, which was also graced by then Governor of J&K State Lt General (Retd.) S K Sinha and then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
The 13th Convocation, which as per custom should have been held after an interval of two years, which means four years back, is going to held after a gap of seven years because of various reasons.
Earlier in 2012, the Jammu University had announced to hold 13th Convocation in middle of September but the event was cancelled owing to paucity of funds.
Sources said that in the 13th Convocation, more than 600 Gold Medals are likely to be awarded to the toppers in various disciplines at both Graduate and Post Graduate levels for year 2005 to 2013.
Besides, sources added, 116 Ph.D and M.Phil degrees up till 2013, are also likely to be conferred across Faculty of Science, Faculty of Life Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Management Studies, and Faculty of Social Sciences.
However, the exact number of Medals and Degrees would be finalized keeping in view the availability of time the President would give for the event, sources explained.
Even as Jammu University is gearing up for the scheduled Convocation with active involvement of faculty members, administrative staff and others, sources said that the Raj Bhawan (Governor House) is supervising all preparations for the mega event.
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