Bhalla's presence adds light to MUC's first convocation

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 10 : Governor and Chancellor of Manipur University of Culture, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, presided over the first convocation ceremony of the university at the City Convention Centre in Imphal today.
During the ceremony, the Governor conferred Master's degrees and gold medals to nearly 400 students.
Addressing the ceremony, the Governor noted that the event marked a historic milestone as it was the first-ever convocation ceremony of the university since its establishment in 2015.
The convocation ceremony symbolised the culmination of years of dedication, discipline, and academic pursuit, he said.
He said the convocation of Manipur University of Culture represents not only a celebration of the achievements of its students but also an important step in strengthening cultural education in Manipur.
The Governor said the university was established as a unique institution dedicated to preserving, promoting, and academically studying the State’s rich cultural heritage.
Congratulating the students on their achievements, the Governor emphasised that they carry both the honour and responsibility of safeguarding and promoting the cultural traditions of Manipur.
The Manipur University of Culture plays a crucial role in preserving the State’s rich artistic traditions—including dance, music, theatre, ritual practices, martial arts, and oral literature—while nurturing future generations of cultural practitioners and scholars, he said.
He informed that the university campus under construction on a plot measuring 38.081 hectares at Wakha village may be completed this year.
The campus is being constructed at a cost of Rs 31.18 crore under the Ministry of DoNER, supported by Prime Minister's Development Initiative of North East Region (PM-DevINE).
The Governor appreciated the progress made by the MUC and commended the efforts of Vice-Chancellor Paonam Gunindro Singh, faculty members and staff for developing the institution into an important centre of cultural learning in the region.
Congratulating the students, Vice Chancellor Professor Paonam Gunindro said the MUC is one of the only three Universities of Culture in the country.
He said 366 students out of 424 registered for the convocation attended the ceremony.
Prasan Kumar Swain, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar; H Gyan Prakash, Commissioner Art & Culture; and Laishram Radhakanta, Registrar of MUC University among others attended the ceremony.