South Asian University establishes landmarks with third convocation

New Delhi: The third convocation of the New Delhi-based South Asian University (SAU) to be held on 7 June will witness the establishment of some landmarks in the institution’s growth since it came into being in 2010.

“For the first time since its inception, the South Asian University will be handing out PhD Degrees to 6 of its scholars – one each from Afghanistan and Bangladesh and 4 from India,” said Dr. Sasanka Perera from Sri Lanka, who is the Vice President of the university, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology.

10 students will get their MPhil Degrees, two from Nepal, one from Bangladesh and 7 from India. A total of 176 students will be conferred Masters, MPhil and PhD Degrees in various programmes that include Applied Mathematics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Economics, International Relations, Legal Studies and Sociology.

Seven programme toppers will be honoured with the SAU Gold Medal, Dr. Perera said.

Out of the total number of graduates, 21 are from Afghanistan, 17 from Bangladesh, 5 from Bhutan, 11 from Nepal, 5 from Pakistan and one from Sri Lanka and France while the rest 99 are from India.

“Mandated to inculcate a sense of regional consciousness among the young minds of the South Asia region while imparting cutting-edge knowledge, the SAU was established by the governments of the eight SAARC nations, Dr. Perera said.

The university took off in 2010 with two Masters Degree Programmes. Today, SAU offers seven Masters and an equal number of Doctoral Programmes.

The construction of the permanent campus of the South Asian University is going on in Maidan Garhi in New Delhi, Dr. Perera added.

The convocation will be presided over by Giriraj Mani Pokhrel, Minister of Education, Science and Technology of Nepal as the Visitor’s Nominee.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, will be the Chief Guest.

The Secretary General of SAARC Amjad Hussain B Sial of Pakistan will be present at the event along with other members of the university’s statutory bodies from around the South Asian region.

(Photo credit: SAU)