Years of hardship, suffering and perseverance were rewarded last month, when the University of Jaffna was finally able to organise their convocation ceremony after nearly five years. The long awaited ceremony was held at the Kailasapathy Auditorium, within the University premises.
“It’s been nearly five years since we had our last convocation at the University. This year we were determined to have it somehow, as it’s been a traditional residual of our University culture. The convocation was held in 15 sessions, over 3 days. We had to cater to almost 4000 students belonging to three batches, and their families, and our auditorium could only accommodate 550 at one sitting," said the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Jaffna – Prof. N. Shanmugalingam.
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| Entrance to the university |
“Even though I had to give the welcome address 15 times over and all the rituals were repeated 15 times, it was worth it," he said adding, " the students have come a long way and deserved to be rewarded for all their years of hard work, under very difficult circumstances."
Speaking further about the much anticipated graduation ceremony, Prof. N. Shanmugalingam said the spirit and atmosphere inside the auditorium at every session, was, "incomparable", as proud parents and elated graduates took their seats.
Recalling that day he said it was also, "very satisfying to see many Sinhalese and Muslim graduates who were displaced, who returned to attend the convocation along with their families.”
“I was insistent that the entire mood of the ceremony would be devout, and not celebratory, right down to the décor for the event. The only type of décor permitted was Thiruthongal (a canopy of flower garlands hoisted onto a thatched roof), usually used to decorate temples and especially cars.
The feeling of serenity and calm was passed on to the all the people that attended as well. Yet another unique part of the ceremony was the opening of a new portal in honour of the first President of our University, Prof. K. Kailasapathy on the morning of the convocation. Prof. Kailasapathy was a veteran progressive thinker and Marxist scholar,” he added.
Commenting on the ceremony, J. Thayananthan – Asst. Registrar, Academic Branch, said while students were unsure that it would actually take place, when it did she said it was, “very encouraging for them, especially after all the suffering they’ve had to undergo over the last years. Parents too were overjoyed to attend this long awaited event, as this convocation was the their ultimate reward. Even foreign students from all over the world attended this event,” said Mrs. J. Thayananthan – Asst. Registrar, Academic Branch.
The University has also introduced a few innovative MA Programmes with inter-disciplinary perspectives, such as, Regional Planning, Public Administration, Population Development Studies, and most significantly, in Tamil and Saiva Siddhanta (a Saivite Hindu school that encompasses tens of millions of adherents, predominantly in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.)
“These graduates range between 35-65 years-old, and it was very heartening to see many elderly students signing up for these progammes,” said Prof. Shanmugalingam.
This convocation also saw the passing out of the first batch of students who followed the Post Graduate Diploma in Library Science. Graduates from the Faculties of Applied Science and Business Studies from the Vavuniya Campus affiliated to the University of Jaffna too, were incorporated at this convocation.
“The University was finally able to bridge the gap and hopefully to hold their regular convocation as always, on October 6, the Inaugural Day of the University. I’m most thankful to the Chancellor Prof. M. Sivasuriya who presided over the event, and all my dedicated staff who rallied around me, if not for whom, this day would not have taken place.
Their enthusiasm was such that even after three straight days, they wanted to extend the ceremony by a few more days,” elaborated Prof. Shanmugalingam.
"Enrich your life and contribute to the betterment of human and social development,” was the message of the Vice Chancellor that day, and we hope these words will ring true for these bright young graduates who are just about to embark on their future.
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| Newly passed out graduates |
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| Convocation at the University |
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