Dibrugarh: Governor and university chancellor Lakshman Prasad Acharya presided over the 24th convocation ceremony of the Dibrugarh University held on Thursday.Addressing the gathering, Acharya commended the university’s high academic standards and called on students to rise to the demands of a rapidly changing era. Referring to Dibrugarh as the “Tea City of India,” he highlighted the region’s distinctive identity shaped by its vast tea gardens, natural beauty, and the enterprising spirit of its people.“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 governor said.Noted literary figure and Sahitya Akademi awardee writer Dr Dhrubajyoti Bora attended as chief guest. Recalling his personal ties to Dibrugarh, where he had originally come to pursue medical studies, he expressed delight at returning as a distinguished guest. While encouraging students to remain curious about technological advancements, he stressed that ethical considerations must not be overlooked — particularly in fields such as robotic surgery, where precision and human responsibility must go hand in hand.Vice-chancellor Prof. Jiten Hazarika, in his welcome address, described the university not merely as an educational institution but as a catalyst for national transformation. He highlighted the university’s growing research profile, noting that the department of physics has earned national recognition and secured a position in the prestigious Nature Index.Hazarika announced that all convocation certificates would henceforth be available in digital format — making Dibrugarh University the first state university in Assam to introduce such a system.Honorary Doctor of Letters degree were conferred upon poet and novelist Mamang Dai of Arunachal Pradesh, recipient of the 2017 Sahitya Akademi Award. Eminent surgeon Dr Sarbeswar Bhuyan of Assam Medical College received an honorary doctor of science degree for his humanitarian medical service.Of the 12,266 students who applied to receive degrees, 1,971 attended in person, of which 126 received doctoral degrees, and 42 were awarded gold medals for academic excellence. Bipanchi Hazarika, who secured the highest marks in the department of anthropology, received the Dr Junali Kropi Memorial Gold Medal and Endowment Award. Poli Dutta, who secured the highest marks in the department of education, was awarded the Dr Kamalakanta Borgohain Memorial Fellowship Award.
