The IV Annual Convocation of Vels University was held on 12.10.2013 at 11.00 a.m. at the Vels University Campus. Dr.Vishwa Mohan Katoch, Secretary to Govt. of India, Department of Health Research, (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) & Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research was the Chief Guest.
The Founder-Chancellor Dr.Ishari K.Ganesh presided over the Convocation and called for the Convocation. Dr.K.Sekhar the Vice-chancellor of the University gave the Welcome address and presented the Annual Report for the year 2012-2013. He narrated the achievements of Vels University during the year 2012-2013. The Vice-chancellor highlighted the following success story of the University in his Annual Report.
The University has admitted 2169 students during 2012-2013. One thousand one hundred and nine students of UG took the examination and 997 have been declared pass. Likewise, 606 students of PG took the examination and 591 have been declared pass. During the period of one year, departments have organized 61 conferences and seminars, 72 guest lectures and have published 141 papers in International Journals and 23 in National journals. The University has filed 4 patents during the period and has invented four new products. More than Rs.1 crore worth of fund has been received from various funding agencies. The University has signed 23 MoUs with other institutes and industries and placed 935 students in the campus recruitment.
The Founder-Chancellor conferred the Honoris Causa D.Sc., and D.Litt., degrees and presented D.Sc., to Shri.S.Ramakrishnan, Distinguished Scientist, ISRO and Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, D.Litt., to Ilaiya Thilagam Shri.G.Prabhu, Popular Film actor and to Shri.K.Murugan, General Secretary, Tamilnadu State Olympic Association for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
One thousand six hundred and ninety five candidates have received their degrees from the hands of the Chief Guest in this Convocation, of which 17 were Ph.Ds, 86 were M.Phils, 69 were Rank Holders and 417 were women candidates.
The Chief guest was clear in his thought on the necessity to have privately managed “Deemed to be Universities”. He said that “these institutions provide scope to larger number of students to get higher education while public funded institutions could not manage the sheer numbers due to limitation of slow changes that could be introduced in the existing setup”. He was of the opinion that these privately managed institutions have the scope of emerging as centres of excellence for higher education.
He exhorted the students to become competent individuals because country needs such persons. Students were advised by him, to set high standards and work diligently in a time-bound committed fashion to achieve success. He pointed out to the graduates that there is no shortcut formula for a successful and happy life. He wanted the students to become socially useful individuals so that the country can feel proud of them.
The Convocation Tent was fully packed and around 1600 students, an equal number of parents and 250 invited guests attended the Convocation.
