71st CONVOCATION ADDRESS BY HON’BLE VICE CHANCELLOR
My heartfelt greetings to the distinguished dignitaries and the participants!
It is my proud privilege to extend, on the occasion of 71st Convocation of Panjab University, a very warm welcome to Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji, Hon’ble Vice President of India, and the Chancellor of our University. It is our privilege that Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar Ji has graced the occasion with her presence. I heartily welcome Hon’ble Governor of Punjab, Sh. Banwarilal Purohit Ji, Hon’ble Governor of Haryana, Sh. Bandaru Dattatreya Ji, Shri Som Parkash Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister, Sh. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Hon’ble Speaker of Punjab Assembly, Sh. Harjot Singh Bains, Hon’ble Education Minister, Punjab. Distinguished recipients of Honorary Degrees, Panjab University Ratna Awardees, Acclaimed personalities from different professions in the audience, Members of Panjab University Senate, Faculty, staff, Media persons, and my Dear Students.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today is a day of immense delight and pleasure for all of us as Panjab University organizes its 71st convocation to award 413 Ph.D. Degrees (150 male and 263 female), felicitate 88 undergraduate toppers (26 male and 62 female) and 357 postgraduate toppers (79 male and 278 female) and present Gold medals 100 undergraduate (16 male and 84 female) and 139 postgraduate (34 male and 105 female), across various faculties and disciplines. Additionally, it is a great honor that 04 honoris causa degrees, and 03 PU Ratna awards in different categories will be bestowed on eminent personalities and dignitaries from various fields. Additionally, one Doctor of Science is also being awarded this year.
Panjab University is continuously striving for excellence in every aspect, be it advancement of knowledge, promotion of innovation and creativity, lifelong learning, or community engagement.
- In QS World University Rankings 2024 Panjab University is in the bracket 1001-1200. QS Rankings feature 148 Indian Universities for the first time which is the largest representation for any single country. India has outpaced China with its 133 Universities and Japan which has 96 universities.
- Panjab University continues to be in the bracket 301-350 in QS Asia University Rankings for consecutive fourth year.
- Panjab University is in bracket 601-800 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
- Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) has also ranked Panjab University among top 3.7% universities globally and 9th best university in India in its 2023 rankings.
- 32 faculty members of Panjab University are among top 2% Scientists in the world as reported by a team of scientists of Stanford University in November, 2023.
- BioNEST Panjab University has been adjudged the Best Incubation Centre amongst Tier-II cities of India at Global Bio-India held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
- Presently 276 research projects are being executed in Panjab University with a total funding of 101 Crore from different agencies.
- University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, has been selected for developing 5G Use-case lab as part of the initiative of the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Ministry of Communications, GOI.
- UGC has selected Panjab University as Nodal Centre for development of Books at undergraduate level for Commerce, Science and Arts in Punjabi. A few authors and communicators have been identified from various colleges in Punjab to initiate the task.
We are immensely grateful for the guidance being provided by Hon’ble Vice-President for steering us on the right path to achieve excellence. I am thankful on behalf of faculty and staff of Panjab University to Hon’ble Chancellor for facilitating enhancement in annual grant and one time grant to meet liability of arrears on account of implementation of 7th Pay Commission.
Before I close, I congratulate all the graduating students and their dear ones today. You are ambassadors of Panjab University as you serve the society, nation and mankind as our alumni. Wish you all the best.
Jai Hind.
