Bhubaneswar, March 10: Preparations are on for the annual convocation of Utkal University of Culture scheduled on April 10 after a gap of three years.

The university's last convocation ceremony was held in 2012.

The university authorities have planned the convocation for four academic sessions - 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 - to be held simultaneously. Around 81 students will be given gold medals, and 11 PhD degrees will be awarded.

But, the varsity's plan to shift to the new campus at Madanpur near Jatni before April will not materialise since the construction is still under way. Earlier, the authorities had planned to conduct the convocation on the new campus.

"We are hopeful to start the new academic session from the new campus. It is high time that we imparted education with the help of advance infrastructure facilities to the students," said vice-chancellor Debendranath Jena.

The plan to relocate to the new campus is perpetually getting delayed since the past one year. It was supposed to be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee during his visit to the state in last November, but that did not work out, as the construction was not over.

The vice-chancellor said that around 90 per cent work got over, except for the beautification of the campus and other minor and cosmetic works. The campus is spread over 45 acres.

The university is also planning to invite the vice-chancellor of another university of the state for the convocation. Governor S.C. Jamir and other dignitaries from the state culture department will also be invited.

"We have also invited personalities from the field of art and culture. Plan is on to invite a renowned nationally-a claimed artiste as the guest of honour," said Jena.

Sources in the university said the list of personalities, who would be conferred with the doctorate degrees, was also being prepared.

The Utkal University of Culture was established in 1999 to preserve, promote, propagate and protect the cultural richness of the state.