LPU confers, Honoris Causa Doctorate Degree upon President of India Pranab Mukherjee
Mumbai: Lovely Professional University proudly conferred its honoris causa doctorate degree upon Hon’ble President of India – Padma Vibhushan Shri Pranab Mukherjee, at its 8th annual Convocation. It is indeed a rare occasion for any university when the First Citizen of the country acknowledges this prestigious degree. Prior to this, six other significat world leaders such as Presidents and Prime Ministers of Afghanistan, Mauritius, Kingdom of Lesotho, Commonwealth of Dominica, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and Tenzin Gyatsosix have also been recipients of honoris causa doctorate degrees of LPU.
On this occasion, President Mukherjee also bestowed Ph D Degrees, 38 gold medals and 164 awards to meritorious LPU students for their outstanding academic and research performances. It was the second time that LPU was honoured to welcome the President of India at the campus for its convocation. Prior to this, Shri Pranab Mukherjee had graced LPU’s 3rd Convocation in the year 2013. Governor of Punjab Shri VP Singh Badnore presided over the convocation.
While delivering the convocation address President Mukherjee lauded the diversity at the LPU campus. He mentioned that both national and international students at LPU are blessed to study in such an exceptional campus. International students at LPU are ambassadors of the Indian culture and its values. He also stated that there is no Indian university ranking in the top 200 globally, but it is now time to take a leap and accomplish this benchmark. He emphasized that LPU has huge potential to be the top university in the country. Expressing that convocation is always an important landmark in the life of a student, as it recognizes their hard work. He also encouraged students that the skills they have acquired at their alma mater will help them to face the challenges and hard realities of the outside world in next phase of their life, as education is power. The power of a country is not with the number of students and weapons it possesses, but it is with better technology, which is derived from great a educational system, thereby empowering individuals and society.”
Governor Sh. V.P Badnore advised students not to go for short cuts and lead a life of purpose.
Prior to this, Hon’ble President inaugurated the largest convention center of India ‘Unipolis’ at the LPU campus, which can cater to more than 30,000 peoples’ gathering at a single given time. Lovely Group Chairman Mr Ramesh Mittal welcomed Hon’ble President and Vice Chairman Mr Naresh Mittal welcomed Governor Shri Badnore. On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Vijay Sampla; Cabinet Minister for Irrigation and Power, Punjab State, Rana Gurjit Singh; Chairman Mr Ramesh Mittal; Vice-Chairman Mr Naresh Mittal; LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal; Pro Chancellor Mrs Rashmi Mittal; and, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Ramesh Kanwar also shared the main dais along with the Chief Guest Mr Mukherjee & Governor Shri Badnore. A large number of other elite guests including industrialists from all over the country, ambassadors, ministers, MPs, MLAs, leaders, Company CEOs, Heads, and parents of 16,000+ degrees and awards recipient students also witnessed the convocation ceremony.
Mr. Ashok Mittal, Chancellor, LPU said, “LPU has constantly added value by incorporating the best practical and technical practices in the curriculum to bridge the gap between education through books and the realities of the outside world, so the students are fully equipped to deliver their best. We are confident that our students will be able to meet all the challenges faced by them. It is our constant effort that we create future professionals who will strive to bring about a positive change in this world. I am grateful that Hon’ble President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Governor of Punjab,Shri VP Singh Badnore and other dignitaries are here to inspire them as they step for the most important phase of their lives.”