Over a thousand students were awarded degrees on Monday at the 53rd convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru.
As many as 121 gold medals and 20 gold medal certificates were distributed. While 72 students got PhDs, 308 students got a master’s degree, and 661 students got a bachelor’s degree. Padma Shri and Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon was the chief guest.
The student who earned the maximum accolades was Suma K., 22, who did her B.Sc. in agriculture from the College of Sericulture, Chintamani, Chikkaballapur. She bagged seven gold medals and five gold medal certificates. Her father, M. Krishnappa who works as a lab assistant at GKVK, was at the convocation.
Ms. Suma said that she was inspired to pursue a career in agricultural sciences as she had heard her father speak highly of farmers. “There is so much of research work in agricultural sciences and there are so many technological advancements. But this has not reached the farmers here. There is a need for greater awareness among the farming community, and I hope to bridge the gap,” she said. She is currently pursuing her M.Sc. in genetics and plant breeding from GKVK.
Ranjitha Y.L., College of Agriculture, GKVK, who bagged six gold medals with a B.Sc. in Agriculture Marketing and Cooperation, said that the course helped her understand the issues faced by farmers at the grassroots level. She is currently pursuing M.Sc. in agriculture extension, but dreams of becoming an IAS officer and is also preparing for the UPSC examination.
