12-01-2026 : The Chancellor/Governor participated as the Chief Guest in the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Uttarakhand Open University.

The Chancellor and Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), participated as the Chief Guest in the 10th Convocation Ceremony of Uttarakhand Open University on Monday. On this occasion, a total of 18,146 students were awarded undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma degrees, while six research scholars were conferred with the Ph.D. degree.

Addressing the students, the Governor extended greetings on the occasion of National Youth Day and emphasized the importance of truth, discipline, a sense of duty, social responsibility, and lifelong learning. As Chancellor, he appreciated the academic initiatives of the university and stated that the institution has successfully taken higher education to the grassroots. He noted that the university has entered into collaborations with several institutions, including educational organizations, prisons, the armed forces, and IIT Roorkee, thereby connecting diverse sections of society with higher education.

The Governor urged graduates and postgraduates from various disciplines to act as agents of change by taking education to remote and underserved regions of the state and bringing those deprived of education into the mainstream. He emphasized that no nation can progress unless education is made its central foundation.

Quoting the message, “Arise, awake, and do not stop till the goal is achieved,” the Governor said that the nation comes first, and individuals must bring positive change within themselves by defining their dreams as clear goals.

He further stated that education is a continuous process, and the spirit of learning should always remain alive within a student. The emergence of curiosity and continuous exploration to satisfy it is the primary duty of a learner. Highlighting the present era, he said that digital education is a necessity, and a nation’s progress is determined by the strength of its education system.

The Governor also referred to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s resolve of a Developed India by 2047, stating that this educational institution is contributing meaningfully towards this national goal. He noted that more than 200,000 learners from over 60 countries are pursuing education through the university, and that courses in cyber security and digital studies are being conducted. He highlighted that Uttarakhand Open University is the first university in the state to implement the National Education Policy, and congratulated the university administration for this achievement. On the occasion, various publications, the annual calendar, and the Hindi website of the university were also formally released.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Naveen Chandra Lohani presented the Progress Report for the Academic Session 2024–25, outlining the university’s academic expansion, research activities, and efforts to strengthen teaching quality.

The convocation ceremony was attended by members of the Academic Council, including Prof. P. S. Bisht and Dr. H. C. Purohit, members of the Executive Council including Prof. B. S. Rajput, Shri Ramesh Chandra Binjola, and Dr. Ajay Kumar Gupta, Vice-Chancellors of various universities, senior academicians, and officials.

District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, Senior Superintendent of Police T. C. Manjunath, Mayor Gajraj Singh Bisht, MLA Dr. Mohan Singh Bisht, Minister of State rank Renu Adhikari, former MP Mahendra Pal, along with directors, officers, and staff of all departments were also present at the ceremony.

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