Lucknow: The 22nd Convocation Ceremony of the King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Uttar Pradesh Governor and Chancellor of State Universities Anandiben Patel. The ceremony celebrated academic excellence while reinforcing the larger mission of compassionate healthcare, public service and medical innovation.
A total of 1,707 degrees were conferred upon graduating students, while 20 meritorious students received 54 medals for outstanding academic performance. The event also witnessed several social welfare initiatives, including the distribution of 400 Anganwadi kits to centres in Hardoi district and the administration of HPV vaccinations to 200 girls, including daughters of police personnel serving in the Police Lines.
Governor Anandiben Patel congratulated the graduating students and reminded them that the convocation marked not merely the completion of academic studies but the beginning of a lifelong responsibility to safeguard human life and serve society. She said that the graduates of KGMU would play a vital role in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through their knowledge, skills and character.
Describing medicine as much more than a profession, the Governor said healthcare is the highest form of service, compassion and dedication. She observed that patients approach doctors not only for treatment but also with hope, and often a doctor’s empathy, patience and reassuring words prove more effective than medicines.
Highlighting KGMU’s legacy, the Governor said the institution, established in 1905, has evolved into one of India’s premier centres for medical education, research and healthcare services. She noted that the university serves nearly 1.9 million OPD patients annually and has earned prestigious recognition, including NAAC A++ accreditation, 8th rank nationally in the NIRF Medical category, and 7th rank in the Dental category. She also referred to the upgradation of KGMU’s Department of Health Research Multidisciplinary Research Centre as the country’s eighth Centre of Excellence, besides receiving the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award 2025.
The Governor praised the university’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, including facilities for gynaecological oncology, infectious disease services, pain medicine, trauma critical care, robotic surgery and bone marrow transplantation. She also appreciated the establishment of Uttar Pradesh’s first Robotic Human Cadaveric Wet Lab and the Hospital Revolving Fund that ensures affordable medicines and healthcare services for patients.
Emphasising patient-centric care, Anandiben Patel said every doctor should possess a heart filled with compassion, a mind enriched with scientific knowledge and hands dedicated to service. She stressed that every patient deserves timely treatment, empathy and respectful care.
Calling attention to India’s digital healthcare transformation, the Governor said nearly 90 crore citizens have already received their Unique Digital Health IDs, making healthcare services more transparent, efficient and accessible. She urged students to make full use of digital health platforms such as the Digital Health ID and encouraged the university to raise awareness regarding DigiLocker, where students’ mark sheets and degree certificates are uploaded every year. She noted that despite the availability of digital documents, many graduates were still not utilizing the facility and directed university authorities to encourage wider adoption.
The Governor placed particular emphasis on maternal health, describing it as the foundation of a healthy and strong nation. She said quality nutrition, safe deliveries and improved maternal healthcare are essential for building a healthy future generation. Referring to the shortage of specialist doctors in rural areas, she appealed to newly graduated doctors to dedicate at least three years of service in rural India during the early phase of their careers. She also urged private hospitals and clinics to provide free or subsidised treatment to poor and needy patients.
Speaking about the country’s healthcare reforms, she said initiatives such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, the Digital Health Mission, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, the National TB Elimination Programme, universal immunisation and the expansion of medical infrastructure are strengthening India’s healthcare ecosystem. Uttar Pradesh, she added, has also significantly expanded its network of medical colleges, super-speciality institutions, trauma centres and digital healthcare services.
The Governor advised young doctors to make lifelong learning, research and innovation integral parts of their professional lives, stating that continuous advancement in medical science demands constant upskilling and academic curiosity.
Beyond academics, Anandiben Patel also reviewed KGMU’s campus infrastructure. She informed the gathering that a team from Raj Bhavan had inspected university facilities and directed the administration to immediately rectify identified deficiencies. She instructed officials to strengthen sanitation in the campus and hostels, expedite the completion of a building that has remained under construction for nearly a decade, and ensure quality construction and regular monitoring of four new buildings currently under development.
She further directed improvements in the number and quality of stretchers across the hospital, installation of washing machines in all student hostels, and provision of nutritious and hygienic meals in hostel messes. Expressing concern over expired spices found during inspection, she instructed immediate corrective measures to improve food quality. She also ordered the expansion of CCTV surveillance from 600 to 2,500 cameras and called for regular promotion of sports and gymnasium activities for students.
Providing details of Raj Bhavan’s social outreach initiatives, the Governor said 64,743 Anganwadi centres across Uttar Pradesh have been upgraded with CSR support. She added that 162,460 doses of the HPV vaccine have been administered to girls across the state, including daughters of police personnel.
The ceremony’s chief guest, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, congratulated all graduating students and medal winners, stating that while degrees signify academic achievement, they also entrust doctors with the sacred responsibility of protecting human life. He remarked that during illness, a patient places the greatest trust in a doctor after God and family, making medicine unlike any other profession.
Rajnath Singh praised KGMU’s long tradition of excellence, service and compassion, urging graduates to uphold these values throughout their careers. He encouraged doctors to cultivate empathy, humility and ethical conduct while also embracing medical research, organ donation awareness, yoga and meditation as part of their professional and personal lives.
Highlighting national healthcare initiatives, the Defence Minister said schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Jan Aushadhi Kendras have made quality healthcare affordable and accessible. He observed that the rapid expansion of medical colleges and health infrastructure is making India’s healthcare system more modern, inclusive and self-reliant. He urged graduates to discharge their responsibilities with confidence and pursue excellence throughout their careers.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak congratulated the graduating students and said Uttar Pradesh has witnessed rapid progress in healthcare and medical education under the guidance of Governor Anandiben Patel. He noted that greater transparency in faculty recruitment has strengthened the quality of medical education and urged doctors to serve patients with devotion, compassion and humility, treating every patient as a manifestation of God.
Minister of State for Medical and Health Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh also extended his congratulations to the graduates while highlighting KGMU’s historic contribution to medical education and healthcare services in the country.
KGMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Sonia Nityanand presented the university’s annual progress report, outlining achievements in academics, research, patient care and institutional development.
During the ceremony, the Governor honoured Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with a memento for delivering the Convocation Address. Students from schools adopted by the university’s villages received school bags and stationery, while teachers were presented with books by Raj Bhavan. Administrative officials associated with the successful implementation of the HPV vaccination campaign were awarded certificates of appreciation, and faculty members were recognised with Faculty Awards for outstanding contributions. In the absence of NITI Aayog member M. Srivastava, the university also conferred upon him the honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree.
The convocation was attended by university deans, heads of departments, faculty members, members of the Executive Council and University Court, administrative officials, Anganwadi workers, school teachers, students and several distinguished guests.
