The fifth convocation of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is scheduled for 10:30 am on Monday, December 29, 2008. Over two thousand and five hundred graduating students from the fifteen schools of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham will receive their degrees on this day. These include bachelors, masters, and doctoral students from all five campuses of Amrita viz. Amritapuri, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kochi and Mysore.

Dr. M. Annadurai from ISRO, Project Director of the tremendously successful Chandrayaan-1 satellite project, will deliver the convocation address. Deans from all schools and campuses will attend. Together with the chairpersons of the different departments, they will present their graduating students for the conferring of the degree. Rank holders will receive medals and certificates.

Convocation in an Indian University is the equivalent of Commencement in a Western University. Students usually don caps and gowns for this event. At Amrita, however, an Indian variation has been introduced. Scholars and eminent persons in India have traditionally been honored by draping a shawl around their shoulders. In keeping with this tradition, the Amrita graduating attire includes an off-white shawl.

“Preparations are on for the mega-event,” stated the Registrar, Dr. Krishnamoorthy. “The annual convocation provides an opportunity for the fraternity from all our campuses to gather together as one family. As in the previous years, this year also, Sampujya Swami Amritaswarupanandaji will preside over the function and deliver the benedictory address. We invite one and all in the Amrita family to attend.”