The Sixteenth Convocation of Dibrugarh University was held on 10 March, 2017. In a well attended solemn function organised on the campus, 8245 successful students of the University and its affiliated colleges were conferred various Degrees and Diploma. The Convocation ceremony was attended by the Post Graduate, MPhil and PhD students, numbering 1635. The ceremony began with the Academic Processions of the Students, Faculty Members of the Statutory Bodies of the University led by the Registrar of the University, Professor M.N. Dutta following the convention of Convocation. The Chancellor of the University, the Hon'ble Governor of Assam and Meghalaya, Shri Banwarilal Purohit, the Chief Guest of the Sixteenth Convocation, Swami Atmapriyananda, the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor of Ramkrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Belur Math, West Bengal and Professor Alak K Buragohain, the Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University entered the Convocation pandal in the academic procession.
In his Welcome Address Professor Buragohain extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries, especially to Shri Banwarilal Purohit, the Hon'ble Chancellor of the University and Swami Atmapriyananda, the Chief Guest who are on the campus for the first time. Briefly narrating the major academic development of the University and the remarkable achievements of the students and the faculty members of the University in recent time, Professor Buragohain congratulated the successful students and wished them the very best for their future. He made a strong point that while they acquire knowledge and skill qualifying for their Degrees and Diplomas in the University, the University is also the place where the students build their characters. Professor Buragohain stated that a great nation cannot be built by men and women with small characters and therefore appealed to the young graduates to engage in the nation building process on the solid foundation of their moral character.
In his President's Address, Shri Banwarilal Purohit, the Hon'ble Chancellor of the University called upon the students to be honest, disciplined and dedicated in their words and deeds. Drawing reference to several instances from the Indian Mythology, Shri Purohit emphasised upon the fact that India has an ancient culture and heritage based on an equality in a classless society. He called upon the youth to live a simple life and to engage in the culture of knowledge and hard work for rebuilding a nation as great and ancient as ours with minds free from corruption and avarice. He extensively referred to the simplicity, honesty and dedication of Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri and A.P.J Kalam.
After the Address by the Chancellor, the Deans of the Schools called upon the Chancellor to award the Degrees and the Diplomas to the successful students.
Swami Atmapriyananda, an erudite scholar of international reputation who was the Chief Guest of the Sixteenth Convocation congratulated the young Graduates and drew their attention to the importance of learning from Indian Philosophy in order to live a complete life. He stated that acquisition of knowledge does not end when a Degree or a Diploma is awarded. It is a continuous and life long process. Drawing eloquently from the Vedas and citing the reference of Swami Vivekananda, he made a strong appeal to the youth to return their debt to the poorest of the poor country by dedicating their lives with Gyan, Bhakti and Karma.
On being charged by the Chancellor, the Registrar read out the Convocation Pledge to the new Graduates that from now on they will dedicate their lives with honesty and fairness for upholding their profession, the their University and the Country.The Convocation concluded as the Graduates took the oath with the ceremonial exit procession after the army band played the National Anthem.
