Desh Bhagat University Hosts Grand 13th Convocation; 1,500 Graduates Honoured

Desh Bhagat University Hosts Grand 13th Convocation; 1,500 Graduates Honoured

Mandi Gobindgarh, February 16: Desh Bhagat University celebrated its 13th Convocation Ceremony with great splendour at the Shri Guru Hargobind Sahib Auditorium, conferring degrees and diplomas upon nearly 1,500 students from the academic session 2025–26.

Chancellor Dr. Zora Singh and Pro-Chancellor Dr. Tajinder Kaur felicitated the distinguished guests, while President Dr. Sandeep Singh extended a warm welcome. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Harsh Sadawarti presented the Annual Report, highlighting the University’s key academic milestones and achievements over the past year.

The Chief Guest, Virendra Sharma, British Parliamentarian and former Member of Parliament for Ealing Southall (2007–2024), delivered an inspiring Convocation Address. Reflecting on his remarkable journey—from nearly 25 years as a Councillor in the London Borough of Ealing, including his tenure as Mayor, to serving in the UK Parliament—he underscored the values of perseverance, dignity of labour, and democratic responsibility. He also highlighted his contributions to parliamentary committees and his role in strengthening India–UK relations.

In his motivational address, Chancellor Dr. Zora Singh congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to pursue excellence with integrity and determination. President Dr. Sandeep Singh emphasized the transformative power of education, expressing confidence that the graduates would uphold the ethical values and social responsibility nurtured during their time at the University.

The Deans of various faculties formally presented candidates for the conferment of degrees and diplomas. The ceremony also witnessed the conferment of Honoris Causa and D.Litt. degrees upon eminent personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

Honoris Causa Recipients: Virendra Sharma, British Parliamentarian & Community Leader, Adv. Santosh Shukla, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Mr. Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, Member, National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; Former Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board, Mr. Kirti Sharma, Chairman, Sherman Group of Companies, New Delhi.

D.Litt. Recipients: Dr. K. K. Khandelwal, IAS (Retd.) – D.Litt. in Law; Former Principal Secretary, Government of Haryana; Chief National Commissioner, Bharat Scouts and Guides, India, Dr. Tajinder Kaur – D.Litt. in Airline, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Dr. Dharminder Singh – D.Litt. in Anthropological Linguistics, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences & Languages, DBU

Chancellor Leadership Awards: Sh. Rakesh Goyal, Chairman, Gita Education Trust, Kurukshetra & Managing Director, NN Foodinpex Pvt. Ltd., Sh. Shivkanwar Singh Sandhu, Senior Leader, Indian National Congress; Social Activist; Former Member, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Foundation of India (Lambi Constituency, Punjab),

Awards of Honour: Dr. Kuldeep Daggar, Joint Secretary, Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, Mr. Satish Kumar Bhatia, Education Consultant, Angli Schools International, Perth, Western Australia, Mr. Pankaj Thakur, Managing Director, AMP Solutions Limited, Chandigarh, Mr. Randeep Singh Kohli, Mr. R. C. Gawri, Chief Finance Officer, DBU

Awards of Appreciation: Mr. Arun Malik, Director Operations, DBU Americas, Ms. Damanpreet Kaur, Deputy Director, OL & ODL, Ms. Akansha, Project Manager, Ms. Anshul Anand, Interior Designer.

Additionally, Governor’s Medals, Gold Medals, and degrees across Ph.D., Postgraduate, Undergraduate, Diploma, FIIP, and COE programmes were awarded to meritorious students.

Adding a proud and inspiring moment to the ceremony, Anita Bose Pfaff, daughter of Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose, addressed the gathering virtually from Germany, urging students to serve the nation with dedication and integrity.

The 13th Convocation Ceremony concluded on a celebratory and inspirational note, marking yet another milestone in the illustrious academic journey of Desh Bhagat University.