Shillong : Altogether 550 Graduates, 240 of them from the University and 310 from Affiliated Institutes were conferred Under Graduate, Post Graduate and Doctoral Degrees at the 9th Annual Convocation Ceremony of the Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) at a colourful function held at U Soso Tham Auditorium in the city today.
The Convocation was attended by Meghalaya Governor, V. Shamuganathan, who is also the Visitor of the University and Padmashree Awardee Bertha Gyndykes Dkhar, who delivered the Convocation Address in the presence of Dr. K.M. Shyamprasad, Chancellor of the University, Dr. Glenn C.Kharkongor, Pro- Chancellor, R.G Lyngdoh, Vice-Chancellor, Donald D.Ingty, Registrar, Prof. S.K Srivastava, NEHU Vice-Chancellor, Padmashree Awardee Patricia Mukhim, Editor, The Shillong Times who is also a member of the Governing Board of MLCU, M.S Rao, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Governor, from amongst a host of other dignitaries and invitees including parents and family members of the graduating students.
Delivering his Presidential Address, the Governor offered his congratulations to all the students on whom the university has conferred the degrees and certificates also expressing hope that education and service to humanity will continue to be a part of the graduating students’ lives as they seek to upgrade their skills and improve their careers.
He stated that while individual success is desirable and is to be aimed at, yet that is not enough. “We have to be socially responsible” he also said while urging the graduates to assume social responsibility by making use of the acquired skills to help tackle the myriad of issues afflicting the country including unemployment, poverty, Infant and Maternal Mortality, corruption from among others.
“The sky is yours if you have a goal. The sky is the limit if you have a clearly defined purpose or aim. If you have a purpose and an aim you will master the difficulties that come your way” he said while motivating the students and all gathered. He further stressed that education is not merely an accumulation of facts since it provides one the opportunity to train one’s mind, to think, and to analyse what is right and wrong.
Ms. Bertha Gyndykes Dkhar, herself an epitome of courage and determination, in her Convocation Address stated that as one strives towards a goal, one is bound to encounter challenges and obstacles. “Challenges are barriers that come from within the person as well as from outside” she said while encouraging the graduates to overcome the barriers in their path towards a goal.
She also urged upon the graduates to put into practice what they have imbibed and learnt from the university. “You are walking out with something precious, something priceless which can’t be stolen, something which can multiply and become fruitful only if you put it into practice”, she said.
She further called upon the graduates to try and cultivate life skills for themselves, to make a name in order to be the pride of the institution by making optimum use of the opportunities on offer to them.
Ms. Bertha also urged upon all gathered to help create an inclusive learning and working environment so that the marginalised and disadvantaged can access the opportunities on offer. She called also, upon all concerned to adopt the principle of love and compassion for all. (MIPR)
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