Dayananda Sagar University confers degrees on 1,030 students at its fourth Annual Convocation

Bengaluru: The Dayananda Sagar University (DSU), with a legacy of over 6 decades in education held its 4th Annual Convocation virtually today. Dr R. Balasubramaniam, Founder and Chairman, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) was the chief guest for the event. Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of the Government of Karnataka, Minister for Higher Education and Pro Visitor of DSU, virtually attended the event. The ceremony was also graced by Dr D. Hemachandra Sagar, Chancellor -- Dayananda University and Chairman, MGVP Trust, Dr D. Premachandra Sagar, Pro-Chancellor – Dayananda Sagar University and Vice-Chairman, MGVP Trust and Prof. K.N. Balasubramanya Murthy, Vice-Chancellor, Dayananda Sagar University.
 
Dr D. Hemachandra Sagar declared the convocation open and witnessed 1,030 students, being conferred degrees ranging from degrees like the Doctorates of Philosophy, School of Arts and Humanities & School of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Commerce and Management, School of Engineering and School of Health Sciences, graduate and receive degrees. Among the 47 rank holders, 17 were awarded Gold Medals and 30 Silver medals. Girls outshined the boys with 24 receiving the medals. 
 
Delivering the convocation address, Dr R. Balasubramaniam, Founder -- Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement & GRAAM, said  “The ongoing crisis brought about by the Covid-19 virus has disrupted our lives. Skills we had acquired over decades; knowledge and experiences of people and Institutions proved irrelevant and inconsequential in most domains of human endeavour. We are exposed to a growing demand for new skills.” He asked the students not to see the pandemic as a challenge, but as an extraordinary opportunity that has presented to all of us. He added, “Students now need to ask the question of preparing themselves for a world that is not just demanding newer skillsets, but a completely new mindset. A mindset that allows them to acquire new knowledge in different forms, and ensuring that their knowledge and skills are not only socially-useful but also financially-rewarding.”
 
Dr Balasubramaniam further deliberated on how the outbreak of the novel coronavirus will witness the emergence of a new generation of young entrepreneurs and leaders who will redefine the very concept and purpose of human development. 
 
Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Government of Karnataka, Minister for Higher Education, applauded DSU’s efforts towards enhancing the employability of the graduates. He added, “Quality education can address all the societal issues and it is our duty to promote and raise awareness, starting from the school levels to bridge the skill gap and produce industry-relevant candidates.” Speaking on how the NEP will facilitate the transformation of the education system in India and how it will pave the way for the concept of New India, he said, “The Karnataka government is focussed on bringing in administrative reforms and amendments essential to implement the NEP. The implementation of NEP in the state would provide great opportunities for the younger generation.”
 
Congratulating the students, Dr D. Premachandra Sagar, Pro-Chancellor – Dayananda Sagar University and Vice-Chairman, MGVP Trust, urged the students to embrace constructive disruption, to be a dreamer and practice creative thinking. He said, “Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach would be the mainstay at DSU in the year to come. Our aim is to instill creative thinking, innovation and promote liberal education.” Deliberating on the technological disruption, he added, “We are living in a technologically-driven society and it is vital to understand the importance of technology of tomorrow and focus on continuous learning to stay ahead and contribute to the nation and the society.”
 
Delivering the presidential address, Dr D. Hemachandra Sagar, Chancellor, encouraged the graduating students to think out of the box, innovate and practise life-long learning. He said. “Our whole life is a learning process. We have to learn from everybody as the education we receive at the university is minuscule and helps us lay a foundation for our career. It is through the NEP we are trying to reinvent and restructure our education system. ” He also stressed on the university’s vision to produce industry-relevant graduates who can take up leadership roles to serve national and global needs.”
 
DSU is regarded as one of the progressive and proactive young universities in the state and country for its unparalleled infrastructure, dynamic pedagogy as well as assessment techniques, high-quality faculty with about 48% of them having doctoral degrees and a student population with an inquisitive mind. DSU is one of the first few universities in the country to ensure that the academic calendar was not disrupted on account of the Covid-19 pandemic by quickly switching to online mode of teaching, assessments, placements, and admissions for the new academic year 2020-21.