KSOU Convocation Highlights Education's National Role Amid Governance Controversy
In a significant address at the 21st Convocation of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) held in Mysuru, Karnataka Governor and University Chancellor Thaawar Chand Gehlot underscored the profound impact of education on nation-building. Speaking at the Convocation Hall, Gehlot articulated that knowledge must transcend individual achievement to foster collective societal and national welfare.
Technological Advancements and National Development
Governor Gehlot highlighted how rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, digital technologies, and green innovation are fundamentally reshaping lifestyles and employment landscapes. "India is steadily moving towards becoming a self-reliant and developed nation. Innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development are crucial to achieving this vision," he asserted. Expressing confidence in KSOU's trajectory, Gehlot emphasized the university's potential to enhance skill-based programs, job-oriented courses, and research initiatives to meet evolving social and industrial demands.
Union Minister's Emphasis on Inclusive Education
Delivering the convocation address online, Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar reinforced that education serves as the cornerstone of national development. He observed that open and distance learning has emerged as a powerful instrument for driving inclusive growth and facilitating social transformation, making education accessible to diverse populations.
Achievements and Honors at the Ceremony
The convocation celebrated the academic accomplishments of 10,691 students who received their degrees, many of whom had endured prolonged waits exceeding a decade due to historical issues surrounding admission validity. In a notable segment, honorary doctorates were conferred upon several distinguished individuals:
- S Shivakumar of Harsha Institutions
- Satish Kumar D Kaggere, Secretary of Kids International School
- Brahmakumari Lakshmi of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya
- KB Lingaraju of the Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Noted Sanskrit scholar Bhashyam Swamy
- Educationist Shivashankar Tokare
- Scholar BS Nagabhushana Atri
- Retired bureaucrat C Somashekar
Board of Management Boycott Over Governance Issues
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the convocation was marred by a significant boycott from members of the Board of Management (BoM), the university's apex decision-making body. With the exception of Ramesh Kalappa Gubbewada, all BoM members abstained from the event in protest against the administration's decision to award honorary doctorates without securing prior approval from the Board.
Sources revealed that members objected to the selection process, citing university statutes that mandate discussion and ratification by the BoM for conferring honorary degrees. They alleged that bypassing the board compromises transparency, undermines collective decision-making, and weakens institutional governance, casting a shadow over the proceedings.
Prominent PhD Recipients and Their Contributions
Among the distinguished PhD awardees were BJP leader CT Ravi and IPS officer Geetha Prasanna, Superintendent of Police at the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF). CT Ravi earned his doctorate through a comparative study of Indian coalition governments, focusing on the NDA and UPA regimes. Describing himself as a "lifelong student," Ravi noted that his research naturally aligned with his political career.
Geetha Prasanna received her PhD for a cultural study of the Mysuru district police. She credited her achievement to balancing professional duties with robust family support and expressed deep respect for the Kannada language and local culture, highlighting the integration of academic and professional pursuits.
Disappointment Among Academic Toppers
Amid the festivities, the convocation turned into a disheartening experience for several rank holders. Aparna Nabhiraj, the first-rank holder of the 2016 MSc (Tech) batch, shared her ordeal of being invited after a decade-long legal battle over UGC licensing issues, only to be neither called on stage nor issued her certificates. Despite paying Rs 7,060 in fees and traveling from Bengaluru, she lamented, "It is profoundly unfair to invite us as toppers and collect fees, only to deny us recognition without prior notice."
University authorities reportedly attributed the lapse to vague "government issues," leaving numerous students from the batch feeling distressed and disillusioned, underscoring administrative challenges within the institution.
