Many students, who have studied in Kannada medium government schools in rural areas, have bagged the honours at the 28th convocation of Kuvempu University held at Jnana Sahyadri campus, in Shankaraghatta, near here on Saturday.
Anusha T., who hails from Chowlahiriyur, a small village in Kadur taluk, was awarded three gold medals for scoring the highest marks in M.Sc Mathematics. Ms. Anusha told The Hindu that she was glad for debunking the common belief that Mathematics is a hard nut to crack for students from rural Kannada medium background. “By remaining focused on studies and by adopting shrewd time management practices, rural students can also excel,” she said. Ms. Anusha said that she wants to work as lecturer at a rural college. She is also planning to pursue Ph.D in Linear Algebra or Real Analysis.
Sapthami A.M. who was awarded four gold medals for securing maximum marks in M.A. Sociology also had studied in a government Kannada medium school in Arenur village in Chikkamagaluru district. “The intimate understanding I had on the socio-economic problems faced by the people in rural areas owing to my rural upbringing helped me to excel in M.A. Sociology,” she said.
Shilpa S., who bagged six gold medals in M.A. Kannada, hails from Madapura, a small hamlet in Chikkamagaluru district. At present, she is working as a clerk at a court in Bengaluru. Ms. Shilpa said that she is preparing for civil services examination. “As a bureaucrat, I will work to bridge the urban-rural divide,” she said. Four gold medals were awarded to Swathi V.L. for her excellent performance in M.Sc Chemistry. She had finished her PU and undergraduation in Sringeri. To catch a bus to Sringeri, she used to walk for 4 km daily from her native Gandagatti, a small hamlet. However, for postgraduation she chose to stay at the university’s girls’ hostel. At present, she is working as a lecturer in Koppa. Ashwini S., a resident of Shivamogga city was awarded five gold medals for securing the highest marks in M.Sc Bio-technology. Ms. Ashwini wants to take up research on bio-pesticides and help farmers.
Absence of dignitaries
Meanwhile, the absence of dignitaries took the sheen off the 28th annual convocation of Kuvempu University held at Jnana Sahyadri campus in Shankaraghatta near here on Saturday.
The university had earlier announced that Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Human Resource Development, will deliver the convocation address. Governor Vajubhai Vala, who is also Chancellor of the university and Minister for Higher Education Basavaraj Rayaraddi had accepted the invitation from the university to take part in the programme as guests. However, all the three dignitaries could not attend the event owing to inevitable reasons, Vice-Chancellor Jogan Shankar said.
The text of the convocation address by Mr. Javadekar was read out by Rajaram Hegde, Dean of Humanities faculty. As the Governor could not attend the event, Mr. Shankar also presented the degrees to the candidates on his behalf. The honorary doctorates were also not awarded in the convocation ceremony as the Raj Bhavan had not given its consent for the list of the candidates sent by the university. The honorary doctorates were also not awarded in 2016.
