Nation-Building Resolve Echoes at BBAU’s 11th Convocation; Hon’ble Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Shows Students the Path to Success

Lucknow: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, organised its 11th Convocation Ceremony with great grandeur today, on 29 August 2026. Degrees were conferred upon students of the academic years 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 on the occasion. The ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Defence Minister of the Government of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, as the Chief Guest. Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Brajesh Pathak, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Shri Mithilesh Kumar, Vice-Chancellor of BBAU Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, and Controller of Examinations, BBAU, Prof. Vikram Singh Yadav were also present on the dais. The programme commenced with the Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, other dignitaries and the Vice-Chancellor paying floral tribute and offering garlands at the statue of Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. This was followed by an academic procession led by the distinguished faculty members of the University. Thereafter, the ceremonial lamp was lit and the University anthem was sung collectively by all present. The organising committee also welcomed the dignitaries by presenting them with bouquets. At the beginning, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal welcomed all the dignitaries and participants and presented the University’s academic report, highlighting its achievements and progress. The stage proceedings was done by Dr. Preeti Chaudhary.

On the occasion of the 11th Convocation-2026, Chief Guest and Hon’ble Defence Minister of India Shri Rajnath Singh, while addressing the students, recalled the inspiring lines of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, “Chhote man se koi bada nahin hota, toote man se koi khada nahin hota” (A person cannot achieve greatness with a narrow mind, nor can one stand strong with a broken spirit). He said that in order to achieve great goals in life, it is essential to have a broad and expansive mind. A broad mind fosters wider thinking and positivity, enabling an individual to experience true happiness and fulfilment. He described the mind as a circle and said that as its circumference expands, so does the extent of happiness and satisfaction. He said that India’s knowledge and intellectual traditions have always been vast and rich, and that the ideas and values articulated by saints and sages centuries ago are now being embraced by the world. He remarked that “Today, when India speaks, the world listens with its ears wide open.” The Hon’ble Defence Minister said that the name of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University is associated with the great thinker and social reformer Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, and therefore, expectations from the students of this University are also higher. He emphasised that true education is one that develops all three dimensions of an individual — Head, Heart and Hand. The Head develops logical and rational abilities, the Heart nurtures human sensitivity and compassion, while the Hand enables an individual to transform knowledge into practical skills. He said that education must be accompanied by values, and values must be accompanied by sensitivity. Students should possess a strong sense of responsibility towards the nation and society. Comparing achievements with zeroes, he said that character and values are like the digit placed before zeroes; when zeroes are added after it, their value increases manifold. Therefore, along with knowledge, character, values and commitment towards the nation are equally essential. Shri Rajnath Singh expressed his wish that BBAU should produce young people who are capable of transforming the future of India and who are not merely job seekers but also job creators. Referring to the life and ideas of Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, he said that he not only showed the path to transforming society but also explained where such transformation could begin. He urged students to draw inspiration from Dr. Ambedkar’s mantra of “Educate, Agitate and Organize” and move forward with determination. He said that in a world full of possibilities, a degree is merely an entry point that indicates where one’s journey has begun; it does not determine where that journey will end. Students must learn the art of taking everyone along with them and develop the ability to transform challenges into opportunities.

He further stated that India is today the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, and there is immense potential to take the country forward through the talent, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of its youth. He called upon students to work with knowledge, skills and commitment towards the nation and said that through such collective resolve, the goal of restoring India to the position of Vishwaguru can be realised.

The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Brajesh Pathak, while congratulating and extending his best wishes to the degree recipients, said that as we progress in life, we must move beyond the race for marks. He stated that the purpose of knowledge acquired at a university should not merely be to obtain a degree, but to undertake work that serves society and contributes to taking the nation to the highest position. He urged students to utilise their knowledge, skills and talent for nation-building and play their role in establishing a strong identity for India on the global stage. Recalling the thoughts and contributions of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister said that the responsibility of fulfilling the dreams envisioned by these great personalities for the upliftment of society and the nation rests with today’s young generation. He called upon students to draw inspiration from the thoughts of these great personalities and move forward on the path of social harmony, equality, national service and development. He said that all students beginning a new journey in life after the 11th Convocation should connect their achievements with the welfare of society and the nation.

Speaking about the University’s academic achievements and future plans on the occasion of the 11th Convocation-2026, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal said that Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University has demonstrated its academic excellence by securing an A++ Grade from NAAC and 37th position in the University category of NIRF. He said that special emphasis is being laid on the holistic development of students through a Panchakosha-based education system. He further informed that 20 hobby clubs have been established to develop the inherent talents and creative abilities of students. To promote innovation and entrepreneurship, a Section-8 company named ‘Navkalpana’ has been established. In addition, undergraduate and postgraduate curricula have been restructured in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and various initiatives are being undertaken in alignment with national programmes such as Digital India and Startup India. The Vice-Chancellor informed that the new academic block is expected to be completed by December. Road widening and security arrangements on the campus are also being further strengthened. With the objective of promoting education, agriculture and healthcare facilities in rural areas, five villages have been adopted by the University. Under the University’s tree plantation initiative, 2,055 saplings were planted, earning the University a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. A Miyawaki Forest has also been developed on the campus. Furthermore, development and expansion of facilities at the Amethi Campus are being undertaken at an estimated cost of approximately ₹50 crore. Extending his best wishes to the degree recipients of the 11th Convocation, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal said that the day marks an important milestone in the academic journey of students, but it is not the end of their journey; rather, it marks the beginning of a new chapter in life. He urged students never to forget the people who contributed to their lives and helped them reach this stage after achieving success. He called upon students to work in the national interest and utilise their abilities for the development of society and the nation. He said that students must reflect upon what new contribution they can make to society through their knowledge and skills and how they can contribute to building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Recalling the inspiring lines of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, “Badhayein aati hain aayein, ghiren pralay ki ghor ghataayein; pag-pag par yadi angaare, sir par yadi jwaalaayein”, he said that instead of being afraid of the challenges that arise in life, one must face them with determination. He urged students beginning their new journey after the 11th Convocation to draw inspiration from these words, remain steadfast towards their goals and connect their success at BBAU with the progress of society and the nation.
On the occasion of the 11th Convocation, degrees were conferred upon students of the academic years 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The Hon’ble Defence Minister, other distinguished dignitaries and the Vice-Chancellor felicitated 22 students who had demonstrated outstanding performance in various academic programmes by presenting them with degrees and gold medals on the stage.

For the academic year 2023, Brijesh Gupta (Mechanical Engineering), Priyanshu (Mechanical Engineering), Sonam Verma (Mechanical Engineering), Jagriti Singh (M.Sc. Life Sciences), and Racharla Ojaswitha Rao (M.Sc. Agriculture) were honoured with gold medals and degrees. For the academic year 2024, Harshita Pathak (Computer Science and Engineering), Avantika Kumari B.Sc. (Hons.) (Geology), Prachi Gupta (M.Sc. Mathematics), and K.M. Pratibha Verma (M.Sc. Life Sciences) were honoured. For the academic year 2025, Stuti Kumari B.Sc. (Food Science and Technology), Abhishek Kumar B.Tech. (Computer Engineering), Nandini Sharma (M.Sc. Mathematics), and Aastha Priyadarshini Integrated (B.Sc.-M.Sc., Basic Sciences) were honoured. For the academic year 2026, Shubham Yadav B.Tech. (Computer Engineering), Anand Kumar B.Tech. (Computer Science and Engineering), Gonuguntla Gopi Krishna M.Sc. (Horticulture), Vegetable Science, and Jigyasa M.Sc. (Food Science and Technology) were honoured with gold medals and degrees. In addition, Prof. Devesh Kumar of the Department of Physics was conferred the D.Sc. degree. Students from different academic years were also felicitated under the Shri R.D. Sonkar Award. Shri R.D. Sonkar was among the early administrators of the University. The award recipients included Gyanendra Pratap Singh (M.A. Sociology) from the academic year 2023, Shivangi (M.A. History) from 2024, Soni Nirmal (M.A. History) from 2025, and Prabha Chandra (M.A. History) from 2026.
On the occasion of the 11th Convocation-2026, the dignitaries and the Vice-Chancellor released the 11th Convocation Souvenir, which encapsulates the University’s achievements, academic and educational activities, and other significant accomplishments. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, also administered the convocation oath to the degree recipients.
After receiving their degrees, the students pledged to work in the national and social interest, make constructive use of their knowledge and skills, and actively contribute to the development and progress of the country.
During the second session of the Convocation, degrees were conferred upon students and research scholars through programmes organised in their respective departments. Gold medalists from all four academic years, Ph.D. research scholars and other students were conferred degrees in recognition of their academic achievements.
The University administration stated that the Convocation is an important occasion to recognise the academic achievements, hard work and talent of students. Honouring students who have demonstrated outstanding performance will inspire other students to continuously strive for excellence. The ceremony marks an important achievement in the academic lives of students and symbolises the beginning of new opportunities and a new phase of life.
The occasion was attended by members of the Board of Management, Academic Council, Deans of various faculties, Heads of Departments, faculty members, non-teaching staff, parents, degree recipients, research scholars and students, among others.