7 inmates, 2 over 70, among 10,000 get degrees from open varsity in Assam

On Tuesday, over 10,000 learners received their degrees, diplomas, and PhDs at the convocation of Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University.

The list covers from septuagenarians to jail inmates.

A total of 10,880 degrees, diplomas, and certificates were awarded at the sixth convocation. The ceremony was attended by Assam Governor and Chancellor Gulab Chand Kataria, and pro-vice-chancellor of Central University of Haryana, Professor Sushma Yadava, an official statement said, as reported by PTI.

The statement further added that 49 per cent of the awardees were women. 28 people received gold medals for their excellence in academics.

Amongst the list, there were Chandra Prabha Mahanta, a 75-year-old woman who graduated, and 72-year-old Mahendra Bhuyan, who received his postgraduate degree.

Also, there are a total of seven inmates from different jails in the state who have completed their academic programmes from the university, out of which one jail inmate serving in Guwahati Central Jail was present in person to receive his degree at the convocation.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Assam Governor appreciated the university’s efforts to make higher education more accessible in the state.