Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) conferred degrees on 456 students, including 82 PhD scholars and three Chancellor’s Medal recipients, at its 51st convocation held in Amritsar on Sunday.At least 35 meritorious students were awarded Memorial Medals and 336 students were conferred graduate and postgraduate degrees.Addressing the gathering, Punjab governor and university chancellor Gulab Chand Kataria said the true objective of education is not merely to obtain employment but to prepare responsible, sensitive and ethical citizens who contribute actively to the development of society and the nation. He said education should instil values, character and a sense of social responsibility, enabling students to become agents of positive change. On this memorable occasion, Kataria and vice-chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh, on behalf of GNDU, conferred the Honoris Causa Degree upon Jaspreet Singh, Attorney-at-Law from New York (USA), in recognition of his achievements and his contribution towards the academic development of the country. Present on the dais were Punjab higher education minister Harjot Singh Bains, additional principal secretary Vivek Pratap Singh, dean academic affairs Prof Harvinder Singh Saini, registrar Prof K S Chahal, besides members of the Senate and the Syndicate. The governor said: “The institution from which you graduate today and step into the wider world is far more than a university. It is a distinguished centre of higher learning, research, and values that has nurtured generations of talented individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation and the global community”. He said the university’s founding vision has always been to promote quality higher education, excellence in research, human values, and social responsibility. The governor added: “I have certain expectations from GNDU , I am confident that in the years to come, this institution will emerge not only as one of the country’s foremost centres of advanced learning and research but also as a globally recognised hub of academic excellence.”
