Women power, research strength in focus at PU convocation

As many as 716 degrees were awarded at the 73rd annual convocation of Panjab University (PU), celebrating academic excellence, research milestones and a legacy that has shaped national and global leaders for over 143 years. Among those honoured were 533 female students, 182 males and a transgender.

The ceremony, presided over by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, saw the award of degrees, medals and prizes to students who passed their examinations this year, alongside the conferment of honorary doctorates and distinguished university awards.

Addressing the gathering, Kataria underlined the transformative role of education in empowering women, noting that nearly 75% of the graduating students were women. He described this as a powerful indicator of social change and linked it to the national vision of expanding women’s participation in higher education. Congratulating students and awardees, he said PU’s consistent performance in national and international rankings reflected both its academic depth and its potential to emerge as a globally leading institution.

The Governor also highlighted PU’s illustrious alumni, including former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and IK Gujral, former President Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma, Nobel laureate Dr Har Gobind Khorana, Olympian Neeraj Chopra, cricketer Kapil Dev, actors Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Their achievements, he said, continue to inspire generations of students.

Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degrees were awarded to Prof KN Pathak and Dr Vijay P Bhatkar, while Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, former Judge of Supreme Court, was conferred the Doctor of Laws. The PU also honoured excellence across disciplines by presenting the PU Vigyan Ratna Award to Prof Pradeep Thalappil, the PU Khel Ratna Award to Olympian Sarabjot Singh and the PU Sahitya Ratna Award to noted writer Amarjit Grewal.

Vice President of India and PU Chancellor CP Radhakrishnan addressed the convocation through a video message. He described the PU as one of the country’s most historic and distinguished universities. Emphasising its global outlook, he said the university’s vision was forward-looking and internationally relevant, grounded in the Institutional Development Plan 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020. He noted that the PU had published around 11,000 research papers in the past five years, contributing to the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The Vice President urged graduates to innovate, remain socially responsible and view their degrees as the beginning of larger responsibilities. He also cautioned students against drug abuse and the misuse of social media, calling for innovation rooted in Indian knowledge systems.

Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig said the PU continued to strengthen its academic and research profile in alignment with national priorities. She highlighted key achievements, including the filing of 33 patents, major research grants, expanded national and international collaborations, strong alumni engagement and an impressive performance at the Khelo India 2025 events. Referring to awarding of 350 PhDs in less than a year, she described it as a testament to the dedication of students, parents and faculty.

The ceremony began with a group photograph of gold medallists, followed by the donning of academic robes and a formal procession led by the Vice Chancellor, Deans and senior university officials. Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains attended the event.