BIT Mesra, Ranchi; (right) former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam

Ranchi, Feb. 15: More than 3,000 students of BIT-Mesra are looking forward to an interaction with missile man A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who will grace the deemed university’s 21st convocation next week.

While the former President of India has agreed to honour the elite cradle as its chief guest at the February 24 function at Golden Jubilee Auditorium, Governor M.O.H. Farook will preside over the convocation.

“Students of the 2010 batch will be conferred degrees at the function. Fifteen gold medals will be given away to UG toppers by former President Kalam,” senior professor and former vice chancellor of BIT-Mesra P.K. Barhai said.

Students who wish to obtain their degrees on convocation day are advised to post or courier duly filled in application forms so that the same reach the registrar’s office latest by February 19.

The application form must be sent along with a demand draft of Rs 1,000 from any scheduled bank in favour of registrar, BIT-Mesra, payable at Ranchi. A photocopy of the provisional certificate also needs to be enclosed. Students are required to collect their convocation gowns on February 24 between noon and 4pm.

A refundable amount of Rs 1,000 will be charged for the gown.

Others, who will not be able to attend the convocation, need to apply for their degree in absentia by submitting the form available on the institute’s website for prompt postal delivery.

They must send the duly filled in application form to the registrar latest by February 28.

The degree/diploma will be sent by speedpost. A demand draft of Rs 1,250 and photocopy of the provisional certificate need to be enclosed.

Controller of examination, BIT-Mesra, S.K. Jain said they were currently compiling lists of students who would be conferred degrees or medals. “Altogether 3,300-3,400 students will get their degrees either at the convocation or in absentia,” he said.