Dibrugarh: The 24th convocation of Dibrugarh University was held on Thursday in a solemn and dignified atmosphere on the university campus, celebrating the achievements of graduating students and recognising distinguished contributions in academics, literature and public service.
The ceremony was presided over by Assam Governor and Chancellor of the university Lakshman Prasad Acharya.
In his presidential address, the Chancellor commended the university for maintaining high academic standards and urged students to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing world. Referring to Dibrugarh as the “Tea City of India,” he said the region’s vast tea gardens, natural beauty and the industrious spirit of its people have given it a distinct identity.
Addressing the graduating students, he said, “We are living in an era in which Artificial Intelligence, the digital revolution and automation are redefining our economy and social structures. You are the generation that will determine the direction and destiny of India. Therefore, in this digital revolution we must not remain mere passengers, but become its drivers.”
The convocation ceremony was attended as chief guest by noted literary figure and Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Dhruvajyoti Bora, former Vice-Chancellor of Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences and former President of Asam Sahitya Sabha.
In his convocation address, Bora appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Governor to expand and strengthen higher education in Assam. Recalling his long association with Dibrugarh, he said he had first come to the town to pursue medical studies and expressed happiness at being able to attend the university’s convocation ceremony as a distinguished guest.
He also encouraged the younger generation to remain curious about developments in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies, while stressing the importance of responsible and ethical use of such advancements. Highlighting the transformation brought about by robotic surgery, he said the technology enables highly precise surgical procedures but cautioned that ethical considerations must remain central in the application of such innovations.
Delivering the welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Jiten Hazarika expressed gratitude to the students, scholars and distinguished guests present at the ceremony. He said the country stands at a significant moment in its developmental journey, guided by the vision of building a “Developed India” by 2047.
Hazarika said Dibrugarh University sees itself not only as an educational institution but also as a catalyst for national transformation. The year 2025, he noted, reflects this commitment, with the university striving to ensure that every graduating student becomes capable of contributing meaningfully to nation-building.
He added that the university’s progress has been driven by a growing emphasis on research and innovation. The Department of Physics, he said, has gained national recognition through high-quality research and has secured a place in the prestigious Nature Index.
Research activities have also expanded across other science departments. The Departments of Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Life Sciences, among others, have been publishing research papers in high-impact Q1 journals, reflecting the university’s strengthening academic ecosystem.
Highlighting support from the Central and State governments, the Vice-Chancellor said funds received under the PM-USHA scheme have been utilised to implement new curricula in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The revised academic framework includes contemporary subjects such as Artificial Intelligence and digital tools, while also strengthening research initiatives and academic infrastructure.
He also informed that the university has undertaken outreach initiatives in educationally backward tea garden areas through special awareness workshops. Nine districts of Assam were covered under this programme last year, while nine such workshops have already been conducted this year, with the concluding programme expected to be held in September.
The Vice-Chancellor further announced that all convocation certificates will now be made available in digital format, enabling students to download them easily. With this initiative, Dibrugarh University has become the first state university in Assam to introduce such a system.
During the ceremony, renowned poet, novelist and journalist from Arunachal Pradesh Mamang Dai, who received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2017 for the novel The Black Hill, was conferred the honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree in recognition of exceptional literary contributions.
Eminent surgeon and faculty member of Assam Medical College Sarbeswar Bhuyan was also honoured with the honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree for contributions to medical services, particularly for providing accessible healthcare to economically disadvantaged patients.
A total of 12,266 students had applied to receive degrees at the convocation, of whom 1,971 attended the ceremony in person.
Altogether 126 students were awarded doctoral degrees, while 42 students received gold medals for academic excellence. Among them, 38 students received gold medals in the best postgraduate category, and three students were awarded gold medals in the best undergraduate categories in Arts, Science and Commerce.
Bipanchi Hazarika, who secured the highest marks in the Department of Anthropology, received the Junali Kropi Memorial Gold Medal and Endowment Award. Poli Dutta, who secured the highest marks in the Department of Education, received the Kamalakanta Borgohain Memorial Fellowship Award.
Registrar Paramananda Sonowal expressed gratitude to the faculty members, students, officers and staff of the university, as well as distinguished guests, civil society members and media personnel for their cooperation in making the convocation ceremony successful.
Established in 1965, Dibrugarh University is one of the major institutions of higher education in the North-East and has played a significant role in expanding academic opportunities in the region since its inception.