2nd convocation at MU to give degrees

Chennai: To put an end to the inordinate delay in awarding degrees to students, the University of Madras will conduct its second convocation in six months on October 17.

More than 70,000 students who have passed out in May 2018  will receive their degree certificates from the university by December this year. It is 161st convocation of the University of Madras.

President Ram Nath Kovind presided over the University’s 160th convocation that was held on May 5 this year.

“We are streamlining the award of degrees to help the students who pursue their higher education. All the students who have passed out in May 2018 exams and MPhil students who gave their exams in August also will receive their degrees in the convocation,” said P.Duraisamy, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras. It would be the first time in recent years that students receive their degrees in the same year.

“The university will send the degree certificates to all affiliated colleges before December so they can hold the convocation and distribute certificates,” he said.

Around 300 PhD scholars also will receive their doctorates. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) director AK Bhaduri has consented to be the chief guest at the function.

Due to the absence of the Vice-Chancellor from January 2016 to May 2017, the university could not hold convocation and the students who have passed out in 2015 and 2016 received their degrees only in July 2017.“Now, students can download their provisional degree certificates from online. It has the validity of three months and the hard copy is valid until the next convocation. But a majority of foreign universities and recruiters are asking for original degree certificates. So, it would be really helpful to our PG and PhD scholars,” said K.Ravichandran, Controller of Examinations (in charge), University of Madras.“This also will enable the PhD and PG scholars to apply for their post-doctoral and doctoral studies in the current academic year itself,” he added.