More than 500 students receive their degrees

AICTE Chairman presents 55 gold medals to students

HYDERABAD: More than 500 students received their degrees at the first convocation of the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) held on Saturday.

AICTE Chairman S.S.Mantha presented 55 gold medals for four academic years apart from degrees to four Ph.D students.

In all, 513 students graduated in the last two years after the university came into existence.

Global distinction

Delivering the convocation address, Dr. Mantha said Indian higher education system had emerged as one of the largest in the world but only a few Indian institutions have earned global distinction and there is a need for institutions to work towards achieving excellence globally.

Faculty shortage

He reminded that quality is impacted by the shortage of faculty and by adopting new teaching methods, this gap can be plugged.

Vice-Chancellor P. Padmavathi explained the academic initiatives and achievements of the university in its short span of two years.

She said the university has started several PG and UG programmes involving the industry since the course was practical-oriented and needs support from the industry. She said School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) of the University has been identified as Nodal Centre for Quality Improvement Programme and National Resource Institution for National Programme for Capacity Building of Architects in Earthquake Risk Management.

Highest number

She said the SPA possesses highest number of Ph.D faculty in the country.

The Higher Education Principal Secretary, C.R. Biswal and Commissioner for Collegiate Education, K. Laxminarayana, and S.K. Rahman, in-charge Registrar were present.