Crisis brings new challenges: Nobel laureate Sir Richard John Roberts

Mohali, April 18

The annual convocation of Chandigarh University, Gharuan, was held for the 2021 science students on the university campus today.

Sir Richard John Roberts, a Nobel laureate, awarded the degrees to students. Sir Roberts was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of introns in eukaryotic DNA and the mechanism of gene-splicing in 1993.

A total of 1,017 students of the 2021 batch of as many as 10 computing and sciences programmes were awarded degrees. “The situation of crisis throws open new challenges and opportunities and the global pandemic of Covid-19 has once again proved that the science of biotechnology has the potential to change the world and make it a better place to live,” said Roberts.

Pro-Chancellor RS Bawa and Pro-Vice-Chancellor SS Sehgal, along with other officials, were present on the occasion. Sir Roberts was also awarded with the honorary doctorate degree for his contribution to organising a number of initiatives to correct scientific misunderstandings and promote humanitarian causes. “It is very important that you find yourself a job which you are really passionate about. This way, you will not feel the burden of working but will enjoy it like a hobby,” he added.