6 Patna jail inmates to receive post-graduate degrees at Bihar open university convocation

Six prisoners of Beur Model Central Jail, on the outskirts of Patna, are among among 22,000 candidates eligible to receive degrees at the Nalanda Open University convocation on July 16.

Come July 16, six inmates of Beur Model Central Jail, on the outskirts of Patna, are likely to venture out of their cells for a few hours, don convocation gowns and receive post-graduate degrees of Nalanda Open University (NOU).

Beur Model Central Jail superintendent has been requested to complete necessary formalities for bringing the inmates to the convocation venue.(HT file photo)

NOU vice chancellor (VC) RK Sinha said the Beur jail inmates, who appeared for masters of arts (MA) examination in sociology and geography and masters of journalism and mass communication from the prison in 2016, were among 22,000 candidates eligible to receive degrees at the convocation.

Bihar governor Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the chancellor of universities in the state, had consented to attend the convocation function to be held at SK Memorial Hall in Patna, Sinha said.

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“We were in contact with some renowned scientists and scholars for their participation as special guests, but their confirmation is still awaited,” added the VC.

“Altogether 28 gold medals, each weighing 10 grams, will be awarded with purity certificates to toppers of graduate and post-graduate programmes in different streams. Separate letters have also been sent to eligible candidates for participating in the convocation,” the VC said.

Sinha said a letter had also been sent to Beur jail superintendent, informing him that six inmates had cleared post-graduate examination.

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“The NOU administration has written to the Beur jail superintendent for completing necessary formalities to bring the inmates to the convocation venue and take them back after the event,” said registrar SP Sinha.

The NOU administration had also been exploring a new design, that would be in conformity with the Indian culture, for the convocation attire, the registrar said.

“We are in contact with gown designers in Kolkata, Agra and Delhi,” he said.

“As many of the candidates eligible for degrees are employed outside Bihar, or busy in their own vocations, the university is expecting physical presence of at least 2000,” he said.

NOU is the only university in Bihar that imparts learning exclusively through the system of distance education. Named after the famous Nalanda University of ancient India, NOU was established in March, 1987 by an ordinance. Later, Nalanda Open University Act, 1995 was passed by the Bihar legislature, replacing the ordinance.