Bhubaneswar, June 12: Thirty six international students of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University here, who have graduated in different disciplines, were awarded their degree certificates at a Graduation Ceremony held on Sunday.
The students, belonging to Syria, Uganda, Bhutan and Nepal, graduated in the disciplines of pharmaceutical sciences, agricultural sciences and hospitality and tourism management completing the four year courses.
Prof. (Dr.) Amit Banerjee, the newly appointed Chancellor of SOA who was the chief guest at the program, gave away the certificates.
Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Manjula Das, Controller of Examination, Prof. Sudam Ch. Si, Dean of the faculty of pharmaceutical sciences, Prof. Anup Kumar Samantaray, Dean of the faculty of management sciences and faculty of hospitality and tourism management, Prof. Santosh Kumar Rout, Additional Dean of the faculty of agricultural sciences, Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare) and Prof. Nachieketa K. Sharma, Director, University Outreach Program, were present.
Addressing the graduating students, Prof. (Dr.) Banerjee thanked them for chosing to study in SOA and becoming part of the University’s expanded family. “You may feel proud of having studied in SOA which was recently chosen as the 15th best University in the country in the Government of India’s NIRF rankings,” he said adding they were welcome to continue their higher studies in the University.
“I have mixed feelings as you had joined the University when I was the Vice-Chancellor and you have enriched the campus with your presence while becoming part of the Indian milieu,” he said.
Prof. Nanda said the graduating students had become members of the SOA alumni and should remain in touch with the University. “You will be the ambassadors of this University in your own country or wherever you are placed,” he said while wishing them the very best in life.
In her response speech, Zainab Mushir Iraqi, a student from Nepal, thanked the University for preparing the students from other countries for the future saying “we are ready to face life.”
“Our four year journey comes to an end today, but our commitment to the society begins,” Zainab, a pharmaceutical sciences student, said.
“We have learnt acceptance, tolerance and the need to prioritize education above everything else,” she said thanking the Indian government and SOA Founder President Prof. Manojranjan Nayak for the opportunity they got to study at the University.
Ahmed Iskandar from Syria also thanked the University for the guidance it provided to the foreign students and assistance extended to them whenever required. He thanked the Indian and Odia people for their hospitality as they were made to feel at home during their four year stay saying “it will remain an unforgettable experience.”
Prof. Sharma, who was in constant touch with the students during their stay at SOA, said they would be the University’s ambassadors abroad. Prof. Das proposed the vote of thanks.