Berhampur: In what could be a blot for Berhampur University, the authorities have reportedly postponed the convocation ceremony scheduled to be held on February 6 next week. This, in the history of the varsity, will be the first time since its establishment that the most important event has been postponed by authorities after intimating the degree awardees. However, there’s no confirmation on the rescheduled date.
As per sources, the university decided to postpone the convocation ceremony following a letter from Chancellor SC Jamir where he apparently refused to be a part of the convocation though he did not mention any reason behind it. However, in the letter, he approved only two of the three names recommended by University Syndicate to award D. Litt degree.
Registrar Sailendra Dwibedi corroborated that the Chancellor rejected one out of the three names sent to him for approval.
Reportedly, apart from the honorary degrees, hundreds of students of the varsity were to be awarded degrees and medals at the ceremony. “The students are at a loss due to university's blunders. Only the students are facing problems and no one else,” alleged a Ph.D student.
The authorities have sent a letter to the Governor seeking change in the date of convocation dates after a meeting of the Syndicate.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor’s absence from the convocation has raised many questions on the functioning of the varsity .
Recently, Berhampur University drew criticism after the Students' Union during a presser brought allegations of misutilisation of funds by the authorities.
However, the Vice-Chancellor could not be contacted on the issue.
Reportedly on January 21, the leaders including president of the Union V Srinivas Rao, leveled allegations of serious irregularities in funds released under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (Rusa) and UGC. Moreover, they pointed at the ‘faulty’ process the Vice-Chancellor adopted to renovate the faculty club into his quarters alleging that no tender was invited for the Rs 2 crore work and demanded a CBI probe into all the irregularities. The union leaders also blamed the VC for shutdown of Distance Education course in the varsity arbitrarily, which has affected thousands.