456 students get degrees at GNDU’s 51st convocation

Punjab Governor and Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Gulab Chand Kataria conferred degrees and the Chancellor’s Medal on students during the university’s 51st annual convocation here on Sunday.

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said the true objective of education is not merely to secure employment but to prepare responsible, sensitive and ethical citizens who contribute actively to the development of society and the nation. Degrees were conferred on 456 students, including three recipients of the Chancellor’s Medal, 35 students who received Memorial Medals, 82 research scholars awarded PhD degrees, and 336 students who received graduate and postgraduate degrees.

Governor Kataria and Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh also conferred the Honoris Causa degree on Jaspreet Singh, a renowned Attorney-at-Law from New York, USA, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to academic development.

Punjab Higher Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Additional Principal Secretary Vivek Pratap Singh, IAS, and members of the university’s Senate and Syndicate were also present on the dais.

The Governor said Guru Nanak Dev University was established in 1969 to commemorate the 500th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. “Its establishment was not merely the creation of another institution of higher learning; it represented a national resolve to strengthen and advance the cultural, spiritual and educational heritage of Punjab and the nation. It is within these institutions that democratic values are strengthened, the fabric of social harmony is woven and the foundations of the nation’s economic progress are firmly laid. In essence, universities shape the very soul of the nation,” he said.

In his address, Harjot Singh Bains urged students to uphold integrity, compassion, good conduct and service to the nation. “True success is not measured merely by the size of your salary; it is reflected in your ability to become an exemplary citizen and, above all, a good human being. Our youth, eager to learn, intellectually agile and driven by an innovative spirit, constitute the nation’s greatest strength,” he said.

Expressing satisfaction over the larger number of female students among the award recipients, Bains said students are the foundation of development. He added that Punjab was progressing in education as well as other sectors. “Guru Nanak Dev University has secured the top position in higher education, while Punjab has surpassed Kerala to achieve the number one position in school education. It is no longer ‘Udta Punjab’; it is now ‘Padta Punjab’,” he said.

Jaspreet Singh, an alumnus of GNDU, said the overseas Punjabi community has always remained committed to the progress and prosperity of Punjab and the country.

Highlighting his achievements, Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh said Jaspreet Singh has practised American immigration law for the past 24 years, successfully handling more than 10,000 immigration cases and providing legal assistance to thousands of Punjabi families. He described him as a vital bridge between the Punjabi immigrant community and the American legal system.

The Vice-Chancellor said Jaspreet Singh has contributed significantly to discussions on US immigration policy and reforms. His achievements include election to the New Jersey Governing Council, appointment to the New Jersey Transition Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force and inclusion in the Burj Global Power 100 in Washington, DC. As a GNDU alumnus, he has pledged Rs 5 crore for the Sikh Studies Chair, Rs 20 lakh for PhD scholarships and donated land in California for the establishment of the university’s overseas campus.