Special Convocation 10th May

10 September 2022 was the occasion of a Special Convocation in GD Goenka University as the University recognised and conferred the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Honoris Causa, on Senator Hassan Mohammed Gusau, Deputy Governor, Zamfara State, Nigeria, in recognition of his great contribution towards healthcare services, conservation of water resources as also his service towards the people on the margins.

The ceremony was graced by honourable dignitaries from the management of GD Goenka University as also ambassadors and high commissioners from Nigeria. This included the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Nipun Goenka, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Tabrez Ahmad, the Registrar Dr. Dhirendra Singh Parihar, Convocation Convenor and Director CIE, Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Kaushik, Guest of Honour Senator Hassan Mohammed Gusau, and Special Guest, His Excellency Ahmed Sule, High Commissioner of Nigeria in India. The event also saw embassy officials, businessmen and students from Nigeria attending the felicitation of Senator Gusau.

The ceremony began with the playing of India’s National Anthem. The Hon’ble Pro-Chancellor Mr. Nipun Goenka presided over the ceremony and declared it open. This was followed by the Vice-Chancellor’s address. Prof. Ahmad in his speech welcomed the dignitaries present and also introduced the legacy of the GD Goenka Group of Institutions, going back to its inception and grand vision by Shri A.K. Goenka and its continuous progress under the able leadership of Hon’ble Chancellor Mrs. Renu Goenka and the young and dynamic Pro-Chancellor Mr. Nipun Goenka. Prof. Ahmad mentioned how the university works in collaboration with the GOI vision of Make in India, Digital Bharat and so on. He mentioned how the University’s learning environment is tailored to suit the demands of a new age learning and made special mention of the IDP, which promotes interdisciplinary learning and group engagement.

The Vice-Chancellor speech was followed by a reading of the citation and the conferment of the PhD degree, Honoris Causa, on Senator Gusau. Dr. Gusau in his acceptance speech expressed his great pleasure in standing on the dais of a university of great eminence, known all over the world. He mentioned the cultural, economic and political ties of India and took his degree as a further proof of the growing ties between the two countries. Dr. Gusau recognised the faculty, staff, ambience and magnificent structure of GD Goenka University campus and looked forward to new avenues of education here for students from Nigeria and Zamfara State in particular.

The thanksgiving address was given by His Excellency Ahmed Sule, High Commissioner of Nigeria in India, who went on to trace the relations between Nigeria and India to India’s First Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru and its continuation under the present leadership of India. He congratulated Dr. Hassan on his well-deserved degree considering his passion to serve Zamfara and the underprivileged in general.

The ceremony was declared closed by the Hon’ble Pro-Chancellor Mr. Nipun Goenka and ended with a playing of Nigeria’s National Anthem.