News Desk, News Nation 360 : Dr G. Viswanathan, the founder and chancellor of Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), received the esteemed Doctor of Literature (D.Litt., Honoris Causa) at the 6th Convocation Ceremony of St. Xavier's University in Kolkata. He received the honour in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to leadership, education, public service, and humanitarian endeavours. St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, conducted its convocation ceremony at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre, New Town, with Chancellor Rev. Dr James Arjen Tete and Vice-Chancellor Rev Dr John Felix Raj as the presiding officers, and Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya, Justice I. P. Mukherji, as the Convocation Speaker. The event was topped by the awarding of an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) to Dr. G. Viswanathan, a renowned educationist and visionary leader responsible for shaping higher education in India. This is the first such recognition from an Indian university for Dr. Viswanathan, who has already been awarded honorary doctorates by West Virginia University (USA) in 2009 and the State University of New York, Binghamton University (USA) in 2024. While accepting the award, Dr. Viswanathan thanked St. Xavier's University, looked back at his long association with Bengal, and underlined the vital importance of quality education and research in national development, reaffirming his commitment to academic excellence and social advancement. He also emphasized raising the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for better economic growth. The function was graced by eminent dignitaries, such as VIT representatives (Vice-Presidents Sankar Viswanathan & Dr Sekar Viswanathan, Vice-Chancellor – Dr Kanchana Bhaaskaran, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Partha Sharathi Mallick, Director -Alumni Affairs Dr Elizabeth Rufus), along with Fr. Dominic Gomes, Fr. Malay Dcosta, and Fr. Jayraj Veluswamy, SJ. Adding to the glory of the day, the Chancellor also announced that VIT would introduce gold medals for the highest outgoing students of UG and PG programs from next year onwards.
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