Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala University has decided to restart its annual convocation for PhD holders - a practice discontinued in 1971. Though the university had been conducting an annual meeting to honour researchers who had completed their PhD in that particular year, there was no official annual convocation since. The KU syndicate took the decision on Saturday.
Though the university had completely stopped the graduation ceremony for regular PhD, it was conducting such ceremonies while awarding honorary PhD to scholars in different fields.
Till 1971, every graduate was awarded a degree at the convocation. It was scrapped due to the unprecedented increase in numbers, barring special occasions as per Statute 1 of the university after getting the sanction of the Governor who is also the chancellor of all universities in the state. The convocation will begin with a special meeting of the Senate, where the vice-chancellor will read out a one-line resolution.
After its adoption, members will walk, in two rows, to the Senate Hall. The chancellor, pro-chancellor, vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor, registrar, and the awardees will participate in the ceremony wearing special "academic robes." Another important event is the ‘academic procession’ led by the registrar, followed by the formal awarding of the degree.
