Oxford and Cambridge universities are among the 800 institutions from across the globe invited to the convocation of Bhim Rao Ambedkar Bihar University, which is to be held on November 13, after a decade.
A source at the university said: “This is the first time that foreign universities have been invited to take part in the convocation of the university established in 1952. Names of Oxford and Cambridge universities too figure on the list of invitees.”
Ridiculing the move, a retired teacher of psychology, C.P. Thakur said: “The retired teachers who served the university for more than 30 years have not been invited but it could invite Oxford and Cambridge universities.”
“Organising the convocation is good but the university is wasting a lot of money on sending invites. It has now become an event rather than an academic activity,” said Arun Kumar, a member of the senate. He added that he would raise the issue of expenses being spent on the extravaganza during the senate meeting scheduled for December 19.
Objections notwithstanding, the university is leaving no stone unturned in making the convocation a big academic show.
Vice-chancellor (VC) Pandit Palande has sent invitations to 800 varsities to ensure the presence of representatives from different parts of the country to make the event big.
Moreover, the VC has requested the presence of vice-chancellors and the pro-vice-chancellors of the universities in the state on the occasion. Goa and Bihar governors Mridula Sinha and D.Y. Patil would be the chief guests. Human resource minister Brishin Patel will be the guest of honour.
VC Palande said: “The convocation is a platform to honour the talents of students as well as to cherish and design their bright future. The university is holding convocation for the first time after 2004. So all the academic and administrative buildings have been spruced up. The university has requested the officials of the central varsities to send the representatives on the occasion.
The chief guests will award gold medals to 49 students. Thirty-one girl students topped the postgraduate and bachelor of degree courses in 2012 and 2013. Governor Patil would also inaugurate the solar light project in the university on that day.
