The Central University of Kerala held its Ninth Convocation Ceremony with grandeur at a specially arranged venue on the Periya Campus on Tuesday. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), delivered the Convocation Address as the Chief Guest.
Prof. Siddu P. Algur, Officiating Chancellor; Prof. Vincent Mathew, Officiating Vice Chancellor; Prof. Rajendra Pilankatta, Registrar (i/c); Dr. R. Jayaprakash, Controller of Examinations; and Prof. Joseph Koyippally, Dean Academic, attended the event along with members of the University’s Court, Executive Council, Academic Council, and Finance Committee, heads of departments, faculty, staff, students, and parents.
More than 2,000 people witnessed the ceremony, during which 923 students who completed their programmes in 2025 were conferred degrees - 36 Undergraduate, 771 Postgraduate, 36 Doctoral, and 80 Postgraduate Diploma. Among them, 750 students received their degrees in person.
Gold Medals were awarded to the top-performing students from various departments: Aiswarya V. (Commerce and International Business), Namitha Lakshmi P.V. (Management Studies), Aswathi R.S. and Meval Ginet (Linguistics), Manjushree Shivani (Mathematics), and Akhil S. (Public Administration and Policy Studies). Students and distinguished guests participated in traditional attire, with colourful ceremonial shawls adding vibrancy to the occasion.
Universities Must Aim for Technological Self-Reliance: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
Delivering the Convocation Address, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi emphasized the need for technological self-reliance and innovation-led growth in universities.
“The nation is marching towards becoming a developed India by 2047, the centenary of Independence, and self-reliance is the first step towards that goal,” she remarked. “India must strive to meet its needs through indigenous technologies.”
She urged universities and students to stay abreast of rapidly evolving technologies and to establish start-ups and incubation centres to foster innovation. Reflecting on India’s post-independence journey, she noted that despite the early challenges due to restricted technology access, the nation progressed by recognising science and technology as the foundation of life, rather than merely as academic disciplines.
Dr. Kalaiselvi commended the Central University of Kerala for its forward-looking initiatives such as seed funding for research and the ‘Earn While You Learn’ scheme, which supports students in balancing academic and financial responsibilities. She highlighted the INSPIRE scheme as an example that enables students to pursue education without complete financial dependence on their families.
Encouraging students to transition from job-seekers to job-providers, she called upon universities to nurture an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and social responsibility. She further emphasised the role of universities in women’s empowerment, noting that India today offers a conducive environment for women to excel. Praising Kerala for achieving total literacy and eliminating extreme poverty, Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted Kasaragod’s distinct identity as a confluence of seven languages.