The sun shone like powdered gold over the sky of the Global Peace Auditorium, Brahma Kumaris Shanti Sarovar, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, on  October 1, 2022 at the XXII Convocation of the University of Hyderabad (UoH).

The University of Hyderabad gave away the coveted degrees to 4800 students enrolled in various programs and graduated in 2020, 2021 and 2022, with 1631 receiving their degrees in person and remaining in absentia. 573 out of 4800 are Ph.D. Scholars and multiple students were felicitated with awards and medals (484) for their extraordinary performances.

The ceremony was conducted after a period of three years due to the pandemic. Justice L Narasimha Reddy, esteemed Chancellor of the University, declared the ceremony open and administered the oath to the recipients.

Prof. B.J Rao, Vice-Chancellor, extended his warm welcome to Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, Hon’ble Governor of the State of Telangana and Chief Rector, University; Shri Dharamendra Pradhan, Honourable Minister of Education and Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and Justice L Narasimha Reddy.

The ceremony commenced with the felicitation of the five following young faculty members with the Chancellor’s Award in recognition of their overall contribution to the University in various spheres, including research, teaching, mentoring of students and corporate life of the campus:

Dr. Anil Kumar Pasupulati – Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Science

Dr. Srinivasarao Yaragorla – Associate Professor, School of Chemistry

Prof. Ajaya K Sahoo – Professor – Centre for Study of Indian Diaspora, School of Social Sciences

Dr. Salah Punathil – Assistant Professor, Centre for Regional Studies, School of Social Sciences

Dr. Satish Narayana Srirama – Associate Professor, School of Computer and Information Sciences

Prof. B J Rao, in his Annual Report, applauded the faculty, students, and parents for their contribution in making the University of Hyderabad an Institution of Eminence. He also mentioned the forthcoming initiatives, courses, projects, and funding to strengthen the teaching environment and infrastructure. Several MoUs have been signed with various institutions globally to increase internationalization efforts. He took immense pride and joy in expressing the achievements of the students and faculty of the University.

“The University has uploaded a total of 36270 records of the degrees awarded from 1977 to 2022 to the digilocker system, which by itself is a record”, he added.

While addressing the students, he said, “You have been fortunate enough to receive a higher education, and now it is your chance to extend your hand to the deprived sections of the society.”

Justice L Narasimha Reddy congratulated the entire fraternity of the University of Hyderabad for reaching great heights with every successive year. “This is the time for us to show to the world the power of our education system. It is all about the survival of the fittest with the entry of private universities and the resultant prevalence of stiff competition. You have to reciprocate what the nation has given to you. This is the value system which can genuinely help you to succeed in life”, said Justice Reddy.

In his speech, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Chief Guest said, “Convocation is a major milestone that changes the track from learning to practice”. He congratulated the University for emerging as the center of excellence and being the torch-bearer in making India a knowledge-based economy. “I am confident that when India will be celebrating 100 years of independence, UoH will be one of the major epicenters of our knowledge-based society. I also expect our students to give back to society to make their education more meaningful and purposeful”, he added.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that innovation and entrepreneurship will help India become an economic superpower and a knowledge-based economy. Further, he encouraged students to do their bit for the betterment of the society and to make education more meaningful.

Drawing an analogy, he further remarked, “Hyderabad is known as the city of decorative pearls, and the University of Hyderabad is the intellectual pearl.”

“There are only three mantras you need to succeed in life – Hard work, Hard work, and Hard work,” stressed Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan. She encouraged the students to make research a part of their lives and focus on their inner strengths as espoused by Swami Vivekananda.

The auditorium was filled with radiant faces and joyous screams of the students as they embarked on a new journey with new life, hopes, and dreams in their eyes.

The Chancellor signed the record of degrees and declared the convocation dissolved.

The complete video of the XXII Convocation can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlb6eOZtxxI

For all pictures please see the link https://photos.app.goo.gl/6RtwvsLesCCkfAT49

Contributed by Ms. Hemlata Rawat, Department of Communication