Lucknow/Siddharthnagar: Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of State Universities Anandiben Patel attended the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Siddharth University, Kapilvastu, Siddharthnagar, where more than 52,000 students were awarded degrees and a strong message was delivered on education, innovation, environmental stewardship, and social reform.
The convocation marked a significant milestone for the university, with 52,176 undergraduate and postgraduate students receiving their degrees. In a move aimed at strengthening digital governance and accessibility, all degrees and marksheets were uploaded to DigiLocker, enabling students to access their academic records securely online.
The ceremony also recognized academic excellence, with 37 gold medals awarded to meritorious students, including 28 women and nine men. In addition, 25 research scholars were conferred Ph.D. degrees, comprising 15 male and 10 female candidates.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Patel congratulated the graduates, researchers, faculty members, and parents, describing the occasion as a celebration of dedication, perseverance, and achievement. She emphasized that a university degree represents not merely an academic qualification but also a commitment to knowledge, responsibility, and nation-building.
“Education should not be viewed solely as a means of employment. Its true purpose is to enrich life, promote social progress, and contribute to national development,” she said. “Universities are not just institutions that award degrees; they are laboratories of ideas where solutions for society and the nation take shape.”
Focus on Child Welfare and Public Health
During the event, Governor Patel highlighted several social welfare initiatives linked to the convocation. A total of 700 Anganwadi centres across Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, and Sant Kabir Nagar districts received educational and developmental kits aimed at strengthening early childhood care services.
She noted that the state-wide campaign has been running continuously for the past five years and has already benefited nearly 60,000 Anganwadi centres across Uttar Pradesh.
The Governor also underscored the importance of protecting young girls from cervical cancer through Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. As part of the initiative, 600 girls from the three districts were vaccinated during the programme, including daughters of police personnel.
According to Patel, more than 300,000 girls across Uttar Pradesh have already received HPV vaccines through corporate social responsibility initiatives and public support campaigns. She welcomed the Centre’s decision to make the vaccine available free of cost and described it as a major step toward improving women’s health and preventive healthcare outcomes.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to district and police administration officials from Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, and Sant Kabir Nagar for their contribution to large-scale HPV vaccination drives among adolescent girls.
Call for Environmental Action
A significant portion of the Governor’s address focused on environmental sustainability and resource conservation. She urged universities to become active participants in ecological preservation by developing Miyawaki forests and creating water conservation structures within their campuses.
Referring to the Miyawaki forest developed at Jan Bhavan, she said the initiative had significantly enhanced green cover and biodiversity. She directed universities across the state to adopt similar projects to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
Patel also encouraged higher educational institutions to construct ponds and rainwater harvesting systems, citing a successful water conservation project completed within nine months at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University in Ayodhya.
Expressing concern over future water scarcity, she stressed that water conservation, environmental protection, and energy efficiency must become integral parts of everyday life.
Highlighting the Circular Water Economy Model implemented in Surat, Gujarat, the Governor explained how treated wastewater is being recycled for industrial use, generating both environmental and economic benefits. She encouraged universities, local bodies, and administrators to explore similar solutions at the regional level.
Universities as Engines of Innovation
The Governor called on students and academic institutions to embrace scientific thinking, innovation, and research to address contemporary challenges.
She said India’s ongoing “Amrit Kaal” presents unprecedented opportunities in science, technology, agriculture, healthcare, and education. In such an era, she noted, young people have a crucial role to play in shaping the nation’s future.
“Link your talent with service, your knowledge with humility, and your success with social welfare,” she advised students. “No matter how high you rise, never abandon truth, compassion, hard work, and ethical values.”
Patel further highlighted the importance of resource optimization and urged students to develop innovative models that promote sustainability and efficient use of natural resources.
Social Reform and Community Engagement
The Governor also addressed the issue of dowry, describing it as a persistent social evil that requires collective action. She appealed to universities to launch awareness campaigns and mobilize society against the practice.
She praised Siddharth University for its educational initiatives but encouraged the institution to continue striving for higher standards of academic excellence, cleanliness, innovation, and community engagement.
Patel noted that she had personally chaired 38 review meetings over 19 days involving affiliated government and aided colleges to identify challenges and improve the quality of higher education across the state.
Infrastructure and New Facilities
The convocation ceremony also witnessed the inauguration of several new facilities on campus. Governor Patel formally opened “Kilkari,” a newly developed crèche facility, and “Kalarav,” a children’s recreational park designed to support young families associated with the university.
She also released the university’s convocation souvenir and annual report and unveiled books authored by members of the faculty. Additionally, a software platform developed to support the empowerment and accessibility needs of persons with disabilities was launched during the event.
Certificates and commendations were presented to police officials, outstanding faculty members, and students who excelled in various academic and extracurricular activities. Children from schools in villages adopted by the university performed cultural programmes and were recognized for their achievements.
Building a Developed India
Minister of State for Higher Education Rajni Tiwari, who attended as a special guest, urged students to embrace environmental conservation, skill development, innovation, and self-employment opportunities to contribute to the vision of a self-reliant and developed India.
Chief Guest Prof. Madhulika Agrawal encouraged graduates to actively participate in building a developed nation by embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics while maintaining ethical values and a spirit of public service.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kavita Shah highlighted the university’s progress in academic infrastructure, digital learning, smart classrooms, and laboratory facilities, attributing much of the institution’s advancement to the guidance of the Chancellor and support from various government initiatives.
As the ceremony concluded, Governor Patel expressed confidence that the graduates of Siddharth University would play a meaningful role in shaping the future of India through their knowledge, character, and commitment to public service.
“The light of education,” she said, “must illuminate not only individual lives but also the future of society and the nation.”
