Anna University convocation: 1500 students get degrees

Out of the over two lakh students of the Anna University, 1,500 received their degree certificates from Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who is also the Chancellor of the university, during the convocation held in the city on Friday.

The remaining would get their degrees in the next few days. Sixty-four students were honoured with gold medals in various disciplines. 

After drawing flak from various quarters for the delay in appointing a Vice-Chancellor, the University went to the High Court and got its nod to conduct the event. A group of students registered their protest as the certificates did not have the vice chancellor’s signature. 

According to university officials, a total of 1,65,417 undergraduates will be receiving their certificates, while 34,254 post graduates will have their convocation. Similarly, 31 students from MS and MTech departments will get the degrees and convocation would be held for 35 students, who have completed their M Phil, while 1,507 will be awarded doctorates.  

KP Anbalagan, pro-Chancellor, Anna University, said, “Anna University is one among the 105 top institutions in BRICS member countries. A research park will be set up on the premises and a sum of Rs 50 crore, has already been allotted to create the facility.

Speaking on the sidelines of the function, Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, said that they were getting ready for Chandrayaan-2 mission next year. “It will be India’s second lunar exploration mission and will be launched during the first quarter of 2018,” he said.

It may be noted that the University had received criticism, as the government has failed to appoint a Vice-Chancellor. All the political parties and educationists criticised the government for conducting the event without appointing a VC. 

Though a plea against conducting the convocation without a Vice-Chancellor was filed, the Madras High Court rejected it and cleared the hurdle for the convocation.