Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla confers degrees at 1st convocation of Sardar Patel University

Mandi, September 12: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today conferred degrees on 333 students at the 1st convocation of Sardar Patel University (SPU), Mandi, where he was the Chief Guest. Apart from conferring degrees, the Governor presented medals to 36 meritorious students, including 12 gold medalists, in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements.

In his address, Governor Shukla congratulated the graduates and praised the University for its impressive progress since its inception. He lauded the phased implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by SPU, formation of Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell and creation of various Academic Committees, terming these initiatives as important steps towards fulfilling the University’s vision for holistic education.

Addressing the students, Shukla said, “Today’s convocation is not just a ceremony of conferring degrees but an important milestone in your life.” He emphasised that education is a lifelong journey and urged the graduates to keep expanding their knowledge and skills. He highlighted the rich intellectual, moral and spiritual foundations of India’s education system, noting how these principles are reflected in NEP 2020’s focus on all-round development.

The Governor expressed confidence in the university’s potential to become one of the country’s leading institutions in the years to come. He also spoke about India’s young population, with more than 55% of the country’s population below the age of 25, and emphasised the importance of their role in shaping India’s future. Pointing to India’s projected growth, Shukla said that by 2030, the country is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy, attaining developed nation status by 2047. He urged the graduates to contribute not only to their own success but also to the progress of the country and the state.

IIT Ropar Director and Chief Guest Rajiv Ahuja advocated a multi-disciplinary approach to education, stressing the importance of research-driven innovation to establish India as a global leader. He highlighted the growing role of AI and drone technology in sectors such as agricultural technology and food processing and called for their integration to further India’s development.