For the first time after the formation of Telangana state, Osmania University will be having its 80th convocation ceremony on June 17. The last convocation was conducted six years ago in February 2013. 

The last convocation held in 2013 was marred with protests from pro-Telangana students. The Governor, ESL Narasimhan who was then seen as supporter of pro-united state had to leave the venue. Since then the convocations were never held. 

Governor and OU Chancellor ESL Narasimhan, and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Director, S Chandrasekhar will be taking part in the event which will be held at Tagore Auditorium. 

“From 2012-2019, 2,896 scholars were declared eligible for PhD degrees. Out of the total 2,896 scholars, 1,800 have already taken their PhD degrees in absentia. Also, about 300 candidates will receive gold medals,” the press release stated.

Chandrasekhar who is an alumnus of OU in the Department of Chemistry will deliver the convocation address and confer the degrees.

“Several PhD holders have already taken their degrees. We are making arrangements for all the eligible PhD holders. As last convocation was held in February 2013, huge number of gold medals have piled up. This time, all the gold medals will be presented and from the next year the convocation ceremony will be streamlined,” Prof S Ramachandram, Vice-Chancellor, OU told Telangana Today.

The University is making assessment on the number of students who would be attending the event through online confirmation. The seats have to be booked online.

Eligible candidates can register through the website www.osmania.ac.in and pay the fee online from May 16. The last date for submission of online applications for PhD candidates is June 11.

Meanwhile, the varsity has invited online applications for conferment of degrees on successful candidates in the examinations from July 2012 to June 2018. The PhD degrees awarded up to June 11, 2019 will also be considered.