The sixth convocation of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) was held today in the presence of the Governor of Meghalaya, Satya Pal Malik.
Altogether 1,332 graduates were awarded degrees, out of which 10 scholars were awarded PhDs, 925 students were awarded postgraduate degrees and 397 students were awarded undergraduate degrees.
An honorary doctorate was also awarded to Prof Sanjay Deshmukh, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mumbai, for “outstanding contributions in the field of academic administration and promotion of science, technology and innovation,” while another honorary doctorate was awarded to the editor of The Shillong Times newspaper, Patricia Mukhim.
The convocation address was delivered by Prof DP Singh, Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The Governor, in his speech, stressed on the importance of education and the need to improve it in India.
“As of now there is no initiative by the government to uplift quality education in India and most of the universities and institutions are run by private bodies and even the budget allocation for education is very low and never discussed in Parliament,” Malik said.
The Dr API Abdul Kalam Best Postgraduate Award was awarded to Rezwana Farhin from the Department of Mathematics and the PA Sangma Best Undergraduate Award was awarded to Nilotpal Deka from the Department of Physics.
