Cuttack, April 21: Teachers and students of Ravenshaw University are in a fix as the varsity authorities are running behind schedule in carrying out necessary groundwork for its sixth annual convocation.

Highly placed sources said that it was unlikely that the convocation would be held next month as the university would remain closed for summer vacation from May 25.

The varsity authorities are yet to complete formalities of this year’s convocation, including finalisation of guests and decision on who all would be conferred honorary degrees at the convocation.

The students and the teachers said the delay would affect their summer plans. Some members of the teaching staff said they would not be able to go on family trips during the vacation, while a number of students repented that they would not be able to register themselves for any short-term course.

This is for the second time that there has been an inordinate delay in fixation of date for the convocation. Usually, the convocation is held at Ravenshaw between April and May every year.

Last year, though the convocation was initially scheduled on May 14, but it was later postponed to August 10.

The first convocation of Ravenshaw University was held on May 10, 2008, while the second, third and fourth convocations took place on May 2, 2009, March 4, 2010 and April 16, 2011 respectively.

“We are yet to know when the convocation will be held. This will create problems especially for those among us who will be awarded gold medals during the convocation as they will not be able to plan things according to their wish,” said a student.

“Though the convocations are an annual exercise, there has been an unusual delay in the conduct of the event for the last two years,” said a senior lecturer of the varsity.

“Utkal University will host its convocation on April 25 and President Pranab Mukherjee will grace the occasion as chief guest. However, our university officials have not yet been able to fix a date for our convocation,” said Ravenshaw students’ union president Saubhagya Swain.

Swain further said a students’ delegation would soon meet the vice-chancellor to ensure that the convocation dates were fixed at the earliest.

On the other hand, Ravenshaw vice-chancellor B.C. Tripathy said they were making efforts to hold the convocation at the earliest.

“We are planning to organise the convocation by the end of May. All necessary works, including contacting the guests, will be completed as soon as possible,” said Tripathy.