Leh, July 23: The Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, attended the first convocation ceremony of Sindhu Central University as the Chief Guest at a grand event held at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Choglamsar, Leh.
The ceremony marked a historic milestone for the university, where degrees were conferred upon 14 graduates from various disciplines.
Welcoming the gathering, Professor Sachin S. Gunthe, Member of the Academic Council of Sindhu Central University, set the tone for the event with his address to the graduating students, faculty, and distinguished guests. Sindhu Central University, which is academically associated with premier institutions such as IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur, has emerged as a significant center for higher education in Ladakh.
The Chair, Executive Council of SCU, Prof. V. Kamakoti presented the University’s annual report, highlighting key milestones, the university’s establishment journey, location details, the introduction of new schools, project costs, and strategic collaborations. He also shed light on challenges faced, academic developments, and the pivotal roles played by various stakeholders. Prof. V. Kamakoti expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department for their crucial support in enabling timely and sustainable infrastructure development.
Delivering the convocation address, Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal emphasized the cultural and historical significance of the term “Sindhu,” referring to the ancient river of South Asia. He lauded the university’s leadership for selecting a name so deeply rooted in the civilizational ethos of the region. Dr. Kotwal stressed the importance of Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem and its unique climatic challenges, such as the absence of monsoon and dependence on snow-fed water sources. He praised the introduction of three new academic programs aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of carbon-neutral development in Ladakh.
Highlighting the region’s academic ecosystem, Dr. Kotwal mentioned institutions like DIHAR, the University of Ladakh, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences, and other research bodies. He also noted the upcoming establishment of a university campus will serve as a hub for a larger student population across Ladakh. He expressed optimism that Sindhu Central University would contribute significantly to regional development, not only through academics but also through research in renewable energy, sustainable living, and mountain ecology.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Kotwal expressed hope that Sindhu Central University would become one of the finest institutions in the country, committed to harnessing Ladakh’s natural resources in an environmentally conscious manner and fostering excellence across disciplines. He congratulated the graduating students and faculty for their achievements and vision.
Degrees were formally distributed to the graduating batch by Prof. Kamakoti, amid applause and celebration.
The event was graced by several prominent personalities, including Executive Councillor of Academic Council of SCU, Shri Anil Sahasrabudhe; Mr. Himanshi Rai from IIM Indore; Mr. Ramanand Pandey, Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University; Ms. Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary for Education; Mr. Nageshwar Rao, former Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University; Mr. Saket Khushwa, Vice Chancellor, University of Ladakh; Prof. Jain, VC of Central Jammu University; Dr SD Singh Jamwal, Director General of Police, Ladakh; Shri Tsering Angchuk, Deputy Chairman, LAHDC, Leh; Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies; Romil Singh Donk, Deputy Commissioner, Leh; Ms. Shruti Arora, Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh and other esteemed dignitaries.
