More than 5,000 graduates of Tribhuvan University participated in the 38th TU convocation on Wednesday.

Speaking at the function, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai, who is chancellor of the university, urged youths to participate in healthy politics to institutionalize democracy and move towards the economic development of the country.

Dr Bhattarai expressed concern over the series of protests and padlockings at the offices of the TU vice-chancellor (VC), rector and registrar and the administrative sections.

“Instead of playing the role of constructive critics, the intelligentsia at the university is involving in padlockings and protests, which is leaving a bad impression about the entire education system of the country,” Bhattarai said adding, “I urge scholars to contribute from their side to maintain the educational environment on campuses.”

A total of 5,394 students from various faculties such as science and technology, education, law, management, humanities and social science took part in the ceremony. Similarly, graduates of the Institute of Medicine and engineering, agriculture, veterinary and forestry graduates were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister distributed 19 gold medals to 15 students of bachelors and masters level. Nabin Kumar Mahato, who topped in the masters level with 94 percent marks in MSc won four gold medals, including Chancellors Medal, for his top performance.

Similarly, 25 students completed their PhDs in Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Statistics, Managament, Entomology, Horticulture, Humanities, Economics, Political Science, History, Psychology, Nepali, English and Linguistics.

According to TU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Hira Bahadur Maharjan, a total of 54,406 graduates were eligible for participation in the convocation. Those who received their marksheet transcripts between June 11, 2011 to June 10, 2012 could apply for participation in the ceremony.

TU had earlier decided to hold the ceremony at Dashrath Stadium at Tripureshor following the padlocking of TU offices by the CPN-Maoist aligned Professors Union. But the union agreed to withdraw their protest Tuesday evening.

Although the university's executive board had permitted the participating students to wear their traditional attire at the convocation most of the male participants wore either daura suruwal or business suits.

Similarly, almost all the female students wore sari. However, the gown and scarf provided by TU were compulsory for all.

source: republica,9 Jan 2013