7th Annual Convocation and 47th Prize Giving Function held at USOL

Chandigarh, April 11, 2023: Students of University School of Open Learning (USOL), Panjab University received their degrees at the 7th Annual convocation, held in the auditorium of the Department. It was also the 47th Annual Prize giving function, wherein the meritorious distance learners received awards and prizes for the distinctions/positions earned in various fields as sports, creating-writing, cultural performances etc.  As many as hundred undergraduate and postgraduate students received their degrees from different streams including languages, social sciences, commerce and management etc.  While addressing the students, the Chief-guest, Prof Harsh Nayar, Director Research and Development Cell, Panjab University, emphasized the need of the cultivation of interdisciplinary perspectives and skill-enhancement including up gradation in terms of artificial intelligence, as also stressed by the New Education Policy-2020, as the need of the hour. “This is of utmost importance to survive in the job-market”, said Prof Nayyar.

Giving his convocation address, Prof S. K. Tomar, Vice-Chancellor, J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology, Faridabad, Haryana, appreciated the distinctive services rendered by USOL , as one of the oldest and premier institutions in the field of open and distance learning, extending access to education to the marginalized and deprived. Invoking the values, visions and the enabling legacy of the illustrious personalities from India including Guru Nanak,  Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Prof Tomar appealed the students not be carried away by the glitter and glory of the blind materialistic pursuits, consumerism and rapacious globalization and also emphasized the honing and integration of such citizenry qualities involving tenacity, accountability and commitment to attain the true and meaningful success. 

Prof Y. P. Verma, Registrar, Panjab University, gave a few snippets of wisdom befitting to the occasion. The key motivation force behind the events organized, Chairperson of USOL, Prof Neeru, presented the annual report of USOL for the academic session 2022-23 and gave a very warm welcome to the dignitaries, and congratulated students and their parents/guardians assembled. Prof Harsh Gandhar conducted the stage, introduced the illustrious guest-speakers and highlighted the landmarks achieved by the USOL as the biggest university department. Convener and co-convener, Dr Kamala Sandhu and Dr Reena Chaudhary, respectively, gave their best to make the events a good going. Prof Madhurim Verma, an Ex-Chairperson of USOL, proposed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the function.