First convocation of JnU today
After 14 long years of the institution’s establishment, Jagannath University (JnU) is set to hold its first convocation today, and graduates will finally get to relish the much-awaited event.
“The university authorities have made grand preparations marking the auspicious event,” JnU Vice Chancellor Mijanur Rahman told The Daily Star yesterday.
It had not been possible to arrange the convocation due to various complexities, he said. “We have faced great challenges to organise the huge programme, but this time we overcame the hurdles and were successful,” he added.
The programme will be held on the university’s Dhupkhola ground around 12pm. The whole campus has been beautifully decorated with lights, banners and festoons. A cultural show will be organised marking the day where JnU students and teachers will perform.
President Md Abdul Hamid, also JnU’s chancellor, will preside over the grand event, while Professor Emeritus of Rajshahi University Dr Arun Kumar Basak will attend it as the convocation speaker.
Generally, at university convocations, gold medals are awarded to some graduates for their outstanding results. Unfortunately, no one will get medals at the event, JnU officials said.
When asked about the matter, Mijanur said they do not have sufficient funds in the university’s trust for medals. But the authorities will award medals in the future if they are financially able to.
Despite the hiccup, students and teachers were satisfied that their first convocation will be taking place.
“We’ll get an opportunity to rejuvenate old memories of the campus after a very long period of waiting for the wonderful event,” said Syful Islam, a graduate of JnU’s English department.
A total of 18,317 graduates have registered for attending the convocation, said JnU Registrar Md Ohiduzzaman. Among them, some 11,877 are to get their graduation certificates, and 4,829 will receive postgraduate certificates.
Six researchers will be conferred with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, and 11 with Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degrees, the registrar said. A total of 1,594 people will receive certificates for evening programmes.
“The authorities will organise convocations regularly from now on. The second one is likely to be held in February next year,” Mijanur hoped.
The then Jagannath College was turned to a public university in 2005 through a government gazette notification.
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