Jalandhar witnessed a grand academic celebration on Friday as Vice-President of India, C P Radhakrishnan, presided over the 12th convocation ceremony of Lovely Professional University (LPU). The event was graced by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and featured a notable international presence with former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mary Elizabeth Truss, being honoured.
Honorary Doctorate for UK's Former Leader
In a significant highlight of the ceremony, the university conferred the Degree of Doctorate Honoris Causa upon Liz Truss. This prestigious honour was awarded in recognition of her distinguished leadership, dedicated public service, and substantial contributions to global political discourse. In her address, Truss described India as a central force actively shaping the emerging global order.
She urged the graduating class to embrace risk-taking and innovation. The former British PM encouraged students to challenge entrenched systems, learn valuable lessons from failure, and lead their future endeavours with strong conviction. Expressing clear optimism about India's future trajectory, Truss highlighted that the present generation holds immense potential to shape global industries, technologies, and institutions, urging them to seize this historic moment with confidence and purpose.
Vice-President's Call for Societal Contribution and Vigilance
In his convocation address, Vice-President Radhakrishnan extended heartfelt congratulations to the students on achieving this crucial academic milestone. He specifically appreciated LPU's proactive initiatives aimed at promoting self-reliance, such as the adoption of 'Made-in-India' products across the campus. He also lauded the university's support for armed forces families through the 'Jai Jawan Scholarship' scheme.
Radhakrishnan imparted a powerful message to the graduates, urging them to carry forward the core values of integrity, diversity, compassion, and service. He emphasised that while living for oneself is not wrong, "living only for yourself" is a limited approach. "We must give back to society," he stated, defining the true spirit of education.
Striking a serious note, the Vice-President expressed deep concern over the growing challenge of drug abuse on educational campuses. He made a fervent appeal to the students, asking them not only to reject drugs personally but also to actively prevent their peers from falling into this destructive trap. He described such vigilance and peer support as a meaningful and necessary contribution to society.
Celebrating Academic Excellence and Research
The convocation was a celebration of scholarly achievement at all levels. In recognition of outstanding merit, the university awarded academic medals to a total of 320 students. This distinguished group included 37 gold medallists who topped their respective disciplines.
Furthermore, the university honoured the perseverance and academic rigour of its research community by conferring degrees upon 861 PhD scholars for their significant research contributions. The ceremony began with Rajya Sabha MP and LPU Chancellor, Ashok Mittal, formally welcoming the Vice-President and the other esteemed guests to the campus.
