The Delhi University (DU) on Saturday awarded over 1.76 lakh “digital degrees” — a first in the country, according to acting Vice-Chancellor P.C. Joshi. The 97th convocation also saw 670 Ph.D. degrees being conferred, highest in the last five years, according to officials.
Apart from the degrees awarded to bachelors and masters graduates, 156 medals and 36 prizes were also awarded to students across disciplines.
Due to the pandemic, the convocation was held with social distancing norms in place with arrangements made for parents and guardians to view online telecast from the University’s Convention Centre.
On the endeavours in the last few months, Mr. Joshi said, “The university has initiated an innovative scheme called the ‘Vidya Vistar Scheme’ to establish academic linkages between partner colleges and departments of fellow universities. Aimed at maximising the utilisation of resources available with the university through academic collaboration and cooperation with partner institutions, the scheme is deemed to be instrumental in augmenting collective human resources.”
Mr. Joshi also said the varsity was the first in the country to conduct the Open Book Examination during the pandemic.
While Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ was the chief guest, UPSC Chairman PK Joshi was the Guest of Honour.
The Minister said the DU was expected to be a frontrunner in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP).
“We will reform, perform, transform and show results. We will go vocal for local and then make local, global. You [students] have to be the ones generating employment instead of only seeking employment.”
He said the University has been witness to a time when the “country was burning” with the Vice-Regal Lodge being a place where several freedom fighters had been confined at a point.
