Scientist and researcher Goverdhan Mehta will be the chief guest at the annual convocation ceremony of Jamia Millia Islamia, which is scheduled to be held on January 19, the university confirmed Monday.
The decision was taken after PMO confirmed Prime Minister is not available due to time constraints. Jamia had extended an invitation the PM in November and were awaiting his response with hopes of getting a nod from him.
“He is our PM and we had expected him to come over but this news is absolutely disappointing. We were expecting him...the whole university is disappointed,” JMI Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmed told The Pioneer.
“We got the response from the PMO two days ago...He is not available due to time constraints,” he added. The varsity announced on Tuesday that now the chief guest would be Scientist Goverdhan Mehta.
A group of alumni had protested against the invite to the PM and demanded its withdrawal but Jamia had, however, rejected the demand and said it would wait till it hears from the PMO to decide on the convocation date. “After receiving the response from the PMO, we extended an invite to Goverdhan Mehta who has given his consent following which we decided a suitable date,” added the VC.
The venue for the event would be the Sports Complex (Bhopal Ground) on Jamia campus. The convocation ceremony will also see Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra being conferred with the Doctor of letters (Honoris Causa).
“Mehta, FNA, FRS, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, former Director of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and presently National Research Professor and lilly Jubilant Chair will be the Chief Guest,” an official statement said.
“Degrees/Diplomas will be awarded to those candidates who have passed their examinations in the year 2014. Medals will also be given to the toppers of the same year. PhD scholars whose results have been notified up to November 30, 2015 will also be awarded degrees,” it added.