Chhapra, March 2: Twenty-two years after its inception, Jai Prakash University will hold its maiden convocation ceremony this month.

The varsity was established in 1990.

When vice-chancellor (VC) Ram Vinod Sinha was asked why the ceremony was being held after 22 years, he said: “Efforts might have been made earlier but the convocation could not be organised.”

University registrar Tapasvi Prasad Singh said: “Earlier, the varsity functioned from rented premises. The university started organising functions on its premises only four years ago. The convocation could not be organised till now owing to lack of space.”

When The Telegraph asked Tapasvi as to how certificates were issued without a convocation ceremony, he said only those students who used to apply for degrees were provided certificates.

Vishvajit Singh Chandel, the co-convener of Research Scholars’ Association, said: “When Jitendra Sinha was the VC, he had organised a programme at Ram Jaipal Singh Yadav College in 2004 and distributed certificates to graduates and postgraduates.”

He added: “Later, students had to shell out Rs 350 for getting certificates.”