Governor awards 15 students gold medals at SVVU convocation

Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer participated in 13th convocation of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) in Tirupati on Monday. Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur, Vice-Chancellor Niteen V. Patil was the chief guest on the occasion.

During the convocation programme, the Governor, along with SVVU Vice-Chancellor J.V. Ramana, presented gold medals to 15 meritorious students. Close to 415 students, including Ph.D. scholars, 144 M.V.Sc. graduates, 227 B.V.Sc and A.H, and 36 B.Tech Dairy Technology students, received their degrees during the event.

Meritorious faculty members were awarded for their performance in various categories. The Governor urged the students to remain grateful to their parents, teachers, and mentors. He appreciated the university faculty, staff, and leadership for shaping students with knowledge, skills, values, and professional ethics.

He reminded the graduates to practice veterinary science with dignity, compassion, and lifelong commitment to learning. He also emphasised environmental responsibility, compassion towards animals, and the use of digital learning platforms like National Digital Library of India. He stressed the need for gene banking and conservation of indigenous breeds.

Describing veterinary science as a noble profession, the Governor emphasised its role in animal welfare, public health, food safety, and the One Health concept. Recalling the words of Mahatma Gandhi, he said that the greatness of a nation is judged by the way it treats its animals. He also highlighted the growing role of women in education and professional life.

Mr. Niteen V. Patil also stressed the need to strengthen livestock health services, disease forecasting, surveillance, and advanced diagnostic technologies. He emphasised the importance of shifting veterinary services from a clinic-centred approach to a preventive healthcare approach. He encouraged students to become job creators rather than seekers by exploring entrepreneurship.