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JAMMU: Over 400 girls out of total 600 candidates will receive their medals during the 19th Special Convocation, said Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof Umesh Rai while addressing the media during curtain raiser press conference held here this afternoon.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor said that this convocation is a special one because female scholars have outperformed their male counterparts by a ratio of nearly three to one in securing Ph.D. degrees and gold medals this year, a proud reflection of women’s growing leadership in higher education.
Prof Umesh Rai apprised that during the Convocation, 425 Ph.D. Degrees from 2020 to 2024, including 71 degrees of 2020 batch, 62 of 2021 batch, 83 of 2022 batch, 105 of 2023 batch and 104 of 2024 batch. Similarly, Gold Medals shall be awarded to 178 candidates from 2020 to 2023, including 43 candidates’ of 2020 batch, 85 of 2021 batch, 41 of 2022 batch and 39 of 2023 batch.
He emphasized that the University aims to return to an annual Convocation schedule from the next year.
Highlighting the academic report card to be presented before the Hon’ble Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Rai shared that the University’s flagship Design Your Degree (DYD) programme has been officially appreciated by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, which described it as a “unique initiative” and recommended its integration with the national curriculum through the Ministry of Education and the UGC.
Prof. Rai also spoke about the innovative College on Wheels programme, which provided, 800 girl students accompanied by 100 mentors, a transformative learning experience beyond classrooms.
He further highlighted that the University has expanded its research base through internal R&D, SEED, and transdisciplinary research grants, while securing significant extramural funding from agencies such as UGC, DST, DBT, and CSIR.
Looking forward, Prof. Rai announced the launch of an Integrated UG–PG Programme from the next academic session, modeled on DYD, with skills, entrepreneurship, and innovation at its core. The new curriculum will empower students from any stream to select their specialization after foundational multidisciplinary training in data, IT, AI, and communication, enabling them to pursue self-employment and startup ventures.
Prof. Umesh Rai was flanked by senior functionaries Prof. J. P. Singh Joorel, Dean Academic Affairs; Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Dean Research Studies; Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Registrar and committee members of the convocation.
Earlier, Prof. Rai informed that Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, UT of J&K Shri Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chancellor, University of Jammu shall grace the occasion as the Chief Guest and deliver the Convocation address. Hon’ble Chief Minister, UT of J&K, Omar Abdullah who is also the Pro-Chancellor, University of Jammu shall be the Guest of Honour and address the Convocation.
Dignitaries including the members of Parliament, Chairperson Waqf Board, Advisor to Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Vice-Chancellors of Central and Cluster Universities, Padmashri Awardees, senior beurucrates, senior police officers of Jammu region, eminent academicians and prominent members of the civil society are expected to attend the event.