India’s future lies in the hands of its young: Gov

April 16, 2025 5 Views No Comment

6,683 students conferred degrees at 7th NU Convocation

LUMAMI, APRIL 16 (MExN): Nagaland University, the only Central University in the State, held its 7th Convocation ceremony on April 15 at its headquarters in Lumami.

Celebrating the academic accomplishments of its graduating students, a total of 6,683 graduates, postgraduates, and doctoral candidates from Nagaland University and its 76 affiliated colleges were conferred degrees during the Convocation. Among them, 38 Gold Medallists and 30 PhD awardees were specially recognised for their outstanding academic achievements.

A press release issued by the Nagaland University informed that the Governor of Nagaland and Chief Rector of Nagaland University, La Ganesan, graced the occasion as the chief guest, alongside Dr Samudra Gupta Kashyap, Chancellor of Nagaland University, and Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of the University.

In his address, Governor La Ganesan congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to pursue excellence while contributing meaningfully to the progress of the state and the nation.

“On our march towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, India’s young population is the nation’s greatest asset,” he remarked adding, “The quest for Viksit Bharat transcends governmental action; it is a shared endeavour that calls upon every individual, business, and organization to contribute to a more promising and prosperous future.”

Underscoring the importance of embracing innovation in a rapidly changing world, the Governor said, “Digital transformation is creating unmatched opportunities. Each advancement builds on the last, accelerating the pace of change. Graduating at this moment equips you with the potential to ride this technological wave, and I urge you to approach it with a mindset of lifelong learning.”

Recognizing the potential of young people to shape the economy, he added, “Many of these new ventures will be initiated by young entrepreneurs. I recognize in this group the future founders of thriving start-ups. The world is eager for your contributions—embrace this moment and make your move.”

Presenting the Convocation Report, Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish Kumar Patnaik said, “Today marks a defining chapter in the lives of our graduates and in the journey of Nagaland University. We are proud of their perseverance and the values they carry forward. As a university, we continue to strengthen our foundation in research, infrastructure, and global partnerships, while remaining rooted in our commitment to academic excellence and community development. I urge our graduates to embrace this moment with pride and purpose, and to be torchbearers of positive change wherever they go.”

Other dignitaries present at the Convocation included Dr Abemo, Registrar of Nagaland University; Prof Raghvendra P. Tiwari, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab; Prof Rama Shanker Dubey, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat; Madhav Govind, Visitor’s Nominee to the Executive Council of Nagaland University; along with faculty members, students, and parents.

Nagaland University comprises six schools of studies, 43 Departments, and five UGC-sponsored Centres of Study, spread across three permanent campuses. The University currently has 259 permanent faculty members and a total of 26,585 students, including those enrolled in its 76 affiliated colleges.

Among the recent notable developments, the University has secured Rs 6.67 crore from external funding agencies as research grants over the past two years. In addition, young faculty members have been allocated Rs 1.57 crore in seed money as start-up research grants. During the same period, 170 national and international patents were filed, with over 75 granted to date.

This year alone, more than one thousand research articles, books, and anthologies have been published by the University’s faculty, many of which are indexed in Scopus. Notably, three faculty members of Nagaland University are ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in the latest Stanford University rankings, the press release pointed out.

The University has also implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It has adopted the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme with provisions for Multiple Entry and Exit options. This marks a significant step towards strengthening STEM education in the state.