Aryabhatta Knowledge University. Telegraph picture

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar is likely to grace the first convocation function of Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU) on October 9.

Sources said around 2,500 students from academic sessions 2011-12 and 2012-13 would receive their degrees and certificates from Meira.

University registrar N.K. Singh said: “We have invited Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar as the chief guest for the varsity’s first convocation,” adding: “We are planning to give degrees to the maximum number of students.”

“Students who have completed their engineering degrees in 2011-12 and 2012-13 would be given degrees. Medical students who have completed their degrees in 2012, will also be provided degrees,” said a senior varsity official.

Toppers in different branches would be awarded gold medals.

The convocation function would be held at SK Memorial Hall, as the varsity is struggling to get a permanent campus. Established in 2010, AKU in the past three years has shifted to four places. The present campus is at Chanakya National Law University campus, while construction work for a permanent campus at Mithapur is going on.

In connection with the convocation function, AKU has issued a notice. To take part in the convocation ceremony, students would have to apply for registration in a prescribed proforma with a demand draft of Rs 2,700. The last date of registration is September 15.

Under the varsity, colleges and institutions imparting profess ional education, including eng ineering, medical colleges, pharmacy, nursing, law and others, are governed by the same act having common syllabi and same examinations. At present, 30 institutions, including six government medical colleges, seven government engineering colleges and 12 private engineering colleges, 12 BEd colleges and some management colleges are governed by AKU.

Medical colleges affiliated with AKU include Patna Medical College and Hospital, Nalanda Medical College and Hospital, Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur and others.

Engineering institutions governed by AKU include Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology, Bhagalpur Engineering College, Gaya Engineering College and others. The university is also running courses in nano science.