The Assam Kaziranga University, one of North-East India's premier universities, conducted its 5th Annual Convocation Ceremony on January 13, 2019 at the University campus in Koraikhowa, Jorhat. Attended by several notable guests and luminaries, this year's Annual Convocation was graced by the presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon'ble Chief Minister of State, Government of Assam, who was the Chief Guest for the occasion.
This year, the Fifth Convocation also had as the Guests of Honour, Shri Ashok Mittal, Chancellor, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, and Six Time World Amateur Boxing Champion Padma Bhushan M.C Mary Kom, who was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Kaziranga University in 2018. The Convocation ceremony was presided over by the Hon'ble Chancellor of Kaziranga University, Dr. Murli Dhar Khetan.
During the ceremony, 405 young men and women from across the different schools of the University were awarded their degrees as they officially graduated from the University on this day. The dignitaries and distinguished guests present were Shri Basant Khetan, Hon'ble Pro-Chancellor of Kaziranga University, Dr. P.K Mishra, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Kaziranga University, members of the University Governing Board, Shri Shyam Kanu Mahanta and Dr. P. Goswami, among other esteemed individuals.
On this momentous occasion, The University also conferred Honorary Doctorate Degrees upon two exemplary individuals, noted for tremendous contribution in their respective fields - Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, Assam's very own 'Forest Man' and former World and Olympic Champion Padma Bhushan Abhinav Bindra.
The function began with the arrival of the staid Academic Procession at the venue, marking the opening of the ceremony. In his Welcome address, the Vice Chancellor Dr. P.K Mishra welcomed the esteemed dignitaries, guests, parents and students, while highlighting the accomplishments of Kaziranga University in the year gone by, with a special emphasis on KU's numerous collaborations and corporate partnerships, at par with global educational standards. The Chancellor's address inaugurating the ceremony touched upon the pride and satisfaction the University takes in sending out into the world accomplished and skilled young professionals, as he expressed his gratitude to the parents and other stakeholders in placing their faith and trust on the University.
The Guests of Honour then addressed the gathering with their words of wisdom. Padma Bhushan M.C Mary Kom addressed the young students by using her own life as an inspiring example, focusing on the determination it takes to achieve the impossible, and how important it is to have in one the hunger to do better and achieve more. Shri Ashok Mittal's address highlighted his gratefulness at being a part of such a momentous occasion, while he expressed his hope for Kaziranga University's assured success as one of the best institutes of learning in India and the North East.
Hon'ble Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal delivered the Convocation Address with his words of inspiration, focusing on the power and ability of youth, especially in India, home to the largest population of young people in the world. Shri Sonowal's words were motivating and passionate, as he roused among those gathered the zeal for hard work and the importance of empowering oneself.
More than 250 graduating students were presented with their Degrees, and 18 student-toppers were awarded with Gold Medals for ranking first in each of their programmes by the Honorable Chief Minister.