Shivamogga: Governor of Karnataka and chancellor of Kuvempu University, Thaawar Chand Gehlot, stated on Wednesday that education finds its true meaning only when it reaches the last person in the social strata. Presiding over the 35th annual convocation of Kuvempu University, he advised students that while failures are a part of life, learning from them and moving forward constitutes true success. He emphasized that degrees are not merely symbols of knowledge but representations of a student's potential to provide positive direction to society.
Vision of the Universal Man
Invoking poet laureate Kuvempu's vision of the "Universal Man," Gehlot urged graduates to remain broad-minded and socially responsible in an era of rapid technological change. He highlighted the importance of inclusivity in education and the need to uplift the marginalized sections of society.
Keynote Address and Higher Education Initiatives
Anil D Sahasrabudhe, chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum, delivered the keynote address, describing the modern world as VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous). He highlighted India's rising global position in innovation and artificial intelligence. Higher education minister MC Sudhakar addressed the need for quality research and the government's efforts to enhance employability through model colleges and industry collaborations.
Honorary Doctorates and Achievements
The university honored three achievers with honorary doctorate (DLitt) degrees during the convocation. Social activist and former MLA Konanduru Lingappa, renowned theatre personality KV Akshara, and eminent educationist HA Ranganath were the recipients of this year's honors. The convocation witnessed a significant achievement by female students, who secured the vast majority of the 155 gold medals awarded. Notably, Abhishek HM of the MA Kannada department secured a record 10 gold medals, while a total of 16,955 students, including 9,940 women and 7,015 men, were declared eligible for degrees.
Vice-chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy was present at the event.
