5th convocation of Presidency University held

Eminent historian Romila Thapar today said there was need for universities to enable students to question and think critically.
"Education imparts values to think about the society ... Learning cannot be static in the present age. Students should question and think critically," she said in her inaugural address at the fifth convocation of Presidency University.
Thapar, who was conferred the honoris causa, said the university is as an institution of learning and reflects the change in society.
Biocon founder Kiran Majumdar Shaw, who too was conferred the honoris causa said innovation should be the mantra of present day research-based education and should go hand in hand with affordability.

West Bengal Governor and Chancellor K N Tripathi in his convocation address complimented the university's rich faculty and the generous funding of state higher education department to make it as a centre of excellence.
Vice-chancellor Anuradha Lohia said two new campuses of the university will come up at Kurseong and New Town.

Altogether 33 students of different streams in undergraduate and post graduate received medals from the governor.
The programme was marred by demonstrations by students belonging to SFI, Independents Consolidation and All India Students Association demonstrated against the Higher Education Bill when the chancellor entered the university campus.
"We wanted to stop higher education minister Partha Chatterjee from attending the convocation as his department had notified the undemocratic act. We have nothing against the governor who is the chancellor but we wanted him to hear the voice of the students," Saumyadeep Ghosh, a student of the university and SFI member told PTI.

Four students boycotted the conferring of degrees to themm.
When pressed by reporters for his comments on the students demonstartion in front of his vehicle, Tripathi said curtly, "Ask this question to Partha Chatterjee."
Vice-Chancellor Anuradha Lohia said students can always demonstrate and there is always space for dialogue on any issue.