Berhampur: Erosion of human values was extremely disturbing, said Odia poet Ramakanta Rath while addressing the 22nd convocation of Berhampur University on Tuesday.

"What is extremely disturbing is that there is continuing erosion of values our forefathers upheld and worked relentlessly to infuse these into our social and political life," said Rath.

Governor and the varsity chancellor S.C. Jamir said: "Let Berhampur University take this challenge seriously. Our endeavour must be on designing courses focused on a significant component in which students learn through doing and reflect upon their hands-on experience in a way that empowers them to apply theoretical knowledge to practical endeavours, inside and out side the classroom."

Vice-chancellor Rajendra Prasad Das said: "We are working hard to promote innovation and creativity in teaching, learning and research by acquiring and involving more talented brains into the university."

Rath and founder of KIIT University Achyuta Samanta were awarded honorary DLiit and DSc degrees, respectively. Samanta said he had received such award for the first time from any university in Odisha: "I would definitely term it as a big inspiration," he said.