Don Bosco University Celebrates First Convocation Ceremony

19 September 2012, Guwahati:

Assam Governor J.B. Patnaik and Vice-Chancellor Dr Stephen Mavely at the convocation, 19 September 2012

Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU), the first State University of Assam in the private sector, today held its first convocation ceremony at its exquisite state-of-the-art campus on Airport Road, Azara, Guwahati. His Excellency, Shri Janaki Ballav Patnaik, Governor of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi, Honourable Chief Minister of Assam and Shri T K A Nair IAS, Adviser to the Prime Minister attended the glittering function in the company of dignitaries from various prestigious academic institutions, the graduating students and their parents.

279 graduates were conferred bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information Technology Engineering and master's degree in Computer Application and Business Administration. The venue was adorned with festive mood.

Commenting on the significance of the event, His Excellency, Shri Janaki Ballav Patnaik said, "This colourful convocation of the university sends the message that the university has come to stay in the field of higher education in the state of Assam with its immense potential for growth and excellence." He reminded the graduating students of the importance of remaining true to their values and traditions and said, "As you start to go out and explore a brand new world I would like to remind you never to forget your roots, the place where you've come from. You belong to this land and this land belongs to you."

Shri T K A Nair in his convocation speech expressed his happiness over the overwhelming response which the University has received from the Government and the society. He appreciated the Don Bosco Society which has taken initiatives in various sectors, especially in the educational front and technology development.

Shri Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister, while addressing the graduating students said, "You have been given wings to fly, to live a life independent. Every decision you make along the way will have direct impact on your life, so learn to make decisions wisely."

Emphasizing importance of the occasion, Fr. V.M. Thomas, Chancellor said, "Today is a touchstone event in your life, a day filled with pride for what you have accomplished - appreciation for the sacrifices made to reach this pinnacle and anticipation of the limitless, wide-open horizons of opportunities that await." He challenged the students to become the instruments of change to impact the world around saying, "Nothing great has been achieved except by those who dared to believe that there is something in them superior to circumstances. I am sure you have it in you to change the world around you."

Vice Chancellor, Fr (Dr) Stephen Mavely extended a warm welcome to the august gathering and gave brief account of the establishment and growth of the University. Calling the attention of the graduating students Dr. Mavely said, "As a University, we can confidently tell any potential employer about you that, yes, here you have a batch of graduates who are not just employable, but who, more importantly, are dependable human beings armed with a new mindset; and who, apart from the quality of their learning, have it in them to retool themselves with new skills, and a vibrancy to make lifelong learning the constant companion of their lives."

He concluded extending his heartiest wishes to all graduating students and said, "With pride in your achievements, with confidence in your abilities, and with our prayers to accompany you, we wish you every success in the years ahead. As you graduate today, let me wish you God's blessings as you begin to navigate your unique, individual careers – definitely a much harder task today than in our time."

The Assam Don Bosco University, set up by the Don Bosco Society, started with four courses in Engineering and technology in 2008, today the University boasts of five Schools: School of Technology, School of Religion and Culture, School of Social Sciences, School of Applied Sciences and School of Commerce and Management conducting six undergraduate programmes, seven post graduate programmes, and doctoral programmes in 8 disciplines.

The university has over 1500 students for its campus programmes, over 600 of them availing of hostel facilities. It's On-line and Distance Education wing, called DBU Global, has over 1000 on-line students pursuing a variety of study programmes in Management and Information Technology.

A unique feature of the university is its North-East India Outreach Programme that offers full scholarship to 1000 students from North-East India to pursue its on-line courses each year.

The University has entered into a number of collaborative agreements with universities from round the world for student and staff exchange programmes, for joint research studies. The first batch of four exchange students are at the University of Arkansas (USA) for a year's study in engineering.