Guwahati: Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan emphasised the importance of scientific temperament in upholding the rule of law, saying it is essential to counter arbitrary exercise of power, as he attended the 12th convocation of University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) as chief guest on Saturday. A total of 1,469 students were awarded degrees and diplomas at the ceremony, including 42 PhD scholars, 584 postgraduates, 798 undergraduates and 45 diploma holders.Addressing the graduating students, Justice Bhuyan said, “Scientific temperament lays the foundation for the rule of law. This is because arbitrary power thrives on ignorance, fear and unexamined belief.”He also lauded the university for its achievements over the past 12 years. “I take this opportunity to compliment USTM for the significant progress it has made within a relatively short span of 12 years and the reputation it has earned as one of the leading centres of learning not only in the North-East but beyond,” Justice Bhuyan said.Dr Pankaj Mittal, secretary general of Association of Indian Universities (AIU), New Delhi, delivered the formal convocation address, encouraging the graduates as they embark on their professional journeys.USTM vice-chancellor Prof G D Sharma presented the university report, followed by the conferment of degrees and the distribution of gold medals.The P A Sangma Gold Medal was awarded to Zakiyyah Nurul Barbhuyan of BSc Zoology, while Florence Daimari of MA Rural Development received the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Gold Medal. Ayushi Borkakoty of BSc Microbiology was conferred the Chancellor’s Gold Medal, Porismita Bhuyan of Master of Commerce received the Visitor’s Gold Medal, and Abhirupa Kashyap of BA Psychology was awarded the Zubeen Garg Memorial Gold Medal.Besides these, 29 gold medals were presented to the best postgraduate students and 34 to the best undergraduate students from their respective departments.The convocation was attended by several judges of Gauhati High Court, including Justice Kalyan Rai Surana, Justice Soumitra Saikia, Justice Robin Phukan, Justice Kardak Ete and Justice Unni Krishnan Nair. Justice P K Deka, former judge of Gauhati High Court, was also present.Other distinguished guests included Prof N Nagaraju, vice-chancellor of The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad; Prof Syed Ainul Hasan, vice-chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad; Dr Ajit Kumar Shasany, vice-chancellor of Central University of Odisha; Prof Shivaraj, vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University; Prof Dibakar Chandra Deka, vice-chancellor of Mizoram University; Prof Awadhesh Kumar Shukla, vice-chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University; Prof Anand Bhalerao, vice-chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan; and Prof Alok Kumar Rai, director of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
