Ahmedabad, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the 72nd convocation of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad as the chief guest on August 27, the university said on Monday.
The convocation will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the historic Pranjivan Vidyarthi Bhavan on the institution’s Gandhi campus. Gujarat Vidyapith Vice-Chancellor Dr Harshad Patel said Shah had been invited and had accepted the invitation. Governor and Chancellor Acharya Devvrat will deliver the convocation address.
A total of 900 students from 18 departments across seven faculties will receive their degrees. The graduating batch comprises 184 undergraduate students, 400 postgraduate students, 232 students from postgraduate programmes, 21 postgraduate diploma holders and 63 MPhil/PhD candidates. Of the total graduates, 441 are women and 459 are men, while 559 students are expected to attend the ceremony in person.
Twelve students will receive Mandir and Dhwaj medals. The university said the awards are based on a broader assessment of student achievements rather than academic performance alone.
According to Patel, the selection process reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Nai Talim and its emphasis on the development of the “Hand, Head and Heart”. Students are evaluated on their participation in padyatras, leadership camps, NSS and NCC activities, community service, internships, fieldwork, experiential learning, sports and student activities, along with ethical conduct and commitment to Gandhian values.
Research and innovation, literary, cultural and technical activities, leadership roles and achievements at university, state and national sporting levels are also considered.
The convocation continues Gujarat Vidyapith’s tradition of inviting prominent national figures. President Droupadi Murmu was the chief guest at the 71st convocation last year. Former Presidents Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Dr Zakir Husain, Giani Zail Singh, Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma and Pranab Mukherjee, besides the Dalai Lama, have also been associated with the institution’s convocation ceremonies.
Founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, Gujarat Vidyapith has traditionally linked its convocation with its October 18 foundation day, although the ceremony’s date has varied depending on the availability of the chief guest.
Patel said the university has separately observed its foundation day over the past three years, while using the convocation to highlight different aspects of its academic and institutional work.
Trustees, governing body members, vice-chancellors of various universities, officials, staff, representatives of the Graduates’ Association and students are expected to attend the ceremony.
FOLLOW NOW
