Graduates at the SKMU convocation in Dumka on Saturday. Picture by Rajesh Kumar Pandey

Dumka, March 27: For Sido-Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU), yesterday’s convocation was more than just a ceremony during which degrees were conferred on students.

Rather, it presented a much-awaited opportunity to the authorities to draw the Centre’s as well as the state’s attention to the lack of infrastructure at the varsity and seek assistance.

The presence of Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was the chief guest on the occasion, and deputy chief minister Hemant Soren, who also heads the state finance department, lent the event that special significance. Then, there was Narendra Jadhav, the member of the Planning Commission and national advisory council, who was feted with the honorary DLitt degree.

As such, vice chancellor M. Basheer Ahmad Khan wasted no time to convince the high-profile guests that indeed SKMU was going through a bad patch in the absence of necessary infrastructure and of course, flow of funds. “The local populace look up to you for your patronage, guidance, support and help to convert this region as an educationally important region of the country, throwing opportunities for higher education and training,” Khan said while referring to the finance minister in his welcome address.

Without specifically mentioning that SKMU does not have its own building and has been running from a rented place since its establishment 19 years ago, Khan said: “We are desperately in need of a composite campus for the postgraduate and research section.”

He sought more grants for infrastructure development, faculty members and staff to fill up existing vacancies and new posts for the various programmes on cards.

Although Khan did not particularly dwell on the demand of a central university status for SKMU, he spoke about the contribution of Governor M.O.H. Farook in establishment of a central university in Puducherry during his tenure as the chief minister there.

It was Hemant, also the local MLA, who demanded a central university status for SKMU in view of the fact that Santhal Pargana is a backward region dominated by tribals.

“Most universities in the Northeast have been awarded the central status because of the large presence of tribals and underprivileged sections. Similar initiatives should be taken here to ensure development of Santhal Pargana,” Soren argued.

However, Mukherjee did not commit anything, only promising to provide all material and technical assistance to SKMU so that it can be developed on a par with the best universities of the country.