Jan. 13: Gauhati University has decided to hold its 22nd convocation by the first week of March.

A university official said the exact date of the convocation would be notified later, but the authorities have already started the process of inviting applications from students who have passed various courses of the premier institution during the 2001-2004 period.

The decision to hold the convocation came close on the heels of chief minister Tarun Gogoi announcing yesterday that Dispur would request the Union government to accord the centre of excellence status to Gauhati University.

Gogoi said the government would appeal to the Union human resource development ministry to grant the elite status to the Gauhati University and the Dibrugarh University.

Sources said the previous convocations could not be held because of funds crunch, but the financial position has improved of late to allow the university authorities to go ahead with the function.

The chief minister pledged Rs 50 lakh for infrastructure development even as the state government recently allotted Rs 1 crore to the university.