JAMMU, NOVEMBER 14: Women students emerged as the top performers at the maiden convocation of Cluster University of Jammu on Saturday, securing 130 of the 163 gold medals awarded at the ceremony.
The university, established in 2017, held its first convocation, marking a significant milestone in its academic journey.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who formally declared the convocation open, congratulated the graduating students and praised the outstanding performance of women graduates, describing their achievement as a reflection of confidence, determination and the importance of equal opportunities.
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Shamim Firdous and Jammu MP Jugal Kishore Sharma were among those present at the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha described the graduates as the pioneering torchbearers of the university’s academic tradition and congratulated the students, gold medallists and their parents.
He particularly highlighted the achievement of women students, noting that they had won 130 of the total 163 gold medals.
“When given opportunities, daughters do not merely attain positions but redefine the meaning of achievement. Their gold medals are badges of confidence for generations to come,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. K. S. Chandrasekar presented the university’s report, stating that the institution currently has around 17,000 students and research scholars.
He said the university offers 34 undergraduate programmes, 17 postgraduate programmes, 12 PhD programmes and 11 integrated programmes.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s intellectual heritage, the Lieutenant Governor referred to the contributions of Maharishi Kalhana, author of Rajatarangini, Maharishi Abhinavagupta, and saint-poets Yogini Lalleshwari and Sheikh-ul-Alam. He said these prominent figures had promoted interfaith harmony and the pursuit of truth.
Sinha said the graduating students were carrying forward a knowledge tradition spanning more than a thousand years.
He also highlighted India’s ongoing transformation and its ambition to become a developed nation by 2047. Referring to progress in digital public infrastructure, space research, innovation and emerging technologies, he said the country was witnessing growing investment in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, semiconductors, green energy and biotechnology.
The Lieutenant Governor also cited India’s expanding startup ecosystem, which he said comprised nearly 223,000 startups and 135 unicorns. He noted that entrepreneurs from smaller towns were increasingly contributing to this growth, reflecting wider access to opportunities.
sEmphasising the importance of humanities alongside science and technology, Sinha said technology explains what people can do, while humanities help them understand what they should do.
He stressed that the country needed engineers, historians, scientists and musicians to strengthen its intellectual and creative capabilities.
Urging young people to face challenges with determination, he encouraged them to turn crises into opportunities, saying courage and perseverance were essential for achieving greatness.
