Patna, Aug. 20: Gold medals were conferred on 42 post-graduate students, including 29 girls of the class of 2014, at the annual convocation of Patna University (PU) at SK Memorial Hall today.
Maharashtra governor CH Vidyasagar Rao, Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and education minister Ashok Choudhary awarded medals to meritorious students for their exemplary academic performance. Thousands of students were awarded the degrees on successful completion of their academic programmes.
A gold medalist from the geography department, Vivek Kumar, who aspires to be an assistant professor, said: "I opted for geography to bring some positive changes in the lives of farmers in drought-affected areas." Vivek is pursuing a PhD from PU.
Nitu Priyadarshini Gupta, a gold medallist in ancient indian history, was beaming with pride. "The institute helps me to know my hidden potentialities. I also learned to dream big, aim high but keep my feet on ground," said Nitu. She is now working as a commissioned officer at the Bihar Public Service Commission. Another gold medalist in Urdu, Mohammad Ramzan, said: "Do not underestimate any situation and be prepared for eventualities in life, is what I learned at this institute. I want to be a lecturer and impart what I learned."
Rao said Bihar has a rich legacy of knowledge, pursuit and scholarship. He said the list of alumni of Patna University is impressive.
He said: "It would be ideal for universities in Bihar to pursue specific goals which includes nurturing a university that will find a place among the top 200 universities in the world, developing 25 colleges into centres of national excellence, promoting research and problem solving culture in every colleges and providing students higher education equipped with skills that would make students employable."
Kovind gave a message to the students and asked them to strive for their goals. "There is no shortcut to success. Hard work, indomitable willpower and entrenched determination towards your work and studies will surely bring success in your life. Once you seek a purpose in life, nothing is impossible," he said.
The vice-chancellor of Patna University, Y.C. Simhadri presented the annual report and shared some achievements of the university. He reiterated on the quality of education and focused on the academic excellence and participation of the students at the national level.
