With most foreign students missing out on convocation every year,Lucknow University Tuesday organised a first-of-its-kind mini convocation at the campus for them. The university had sought permission for the convocation from the Raj Bhawan. With the academic session getting over around August and the convocation being held in January or February,these students had to either fly in again or arrange for their degrees to be sent through other means LU controller of examinations Prof Aqil Ahmed said: When I joined,it was among my priorities to ensure that foreign students do not face any difficulty when it comes to award of their degrees. So,as it happened,Ssekamate David of Uganda was awarded an MA (Economics) degree,Chhin Vanoeum of Cambodia was awarded BA (political science and social work) degree and Nepals Shree Shyam Giri was awarded a post graduate diploma in Forensic Science by vice-chancellor Dr S B Nimse in a ceremony in the presence of top university officials. Dr Nimse said the students should serve their family,society and their nation when they go back to their country,but also remember their alma mater (LU) and think of ways to assist the university with whatever means possible. Pro-vice chancellor Prof A K Sengupta said LU was trying its best to ensure all facilities to foreign students. Thanking the administration,David said the move has saved him over hundreds of US dollars in travel expenses. Apart from the three who graduated on Tuesday,LU has 32 foreign students enrolled in various courses on campus. These include three pursuing BA in Hindi while another is pursuing MA in Sanskrit.
