The youngest Prime Minister of the world, Mr. Roosevelt Skerrit of the Commonwealth of Dominica (North America) chaired the 6th Convocation of Lovely Professional University, today. The convocation was held at Shanti Devi Mittal Auditorium where PM Skerrit honoured gold medalists and toppers of the year 2015-16 from various LPU academic programs. In all, 7810 regular, distance education, and part-time students received degrees and diplomas. LPU also proudly conferred its ‘Honoris Causa’ Doctor of Letters degree upon PM Skerrit for his dynamic, farsighted and innovative leadership. This honour is also in recognition of his sincere desire to build international harmony among nations, and for his outstanding public services and excellent governance.
PM Skerrit was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Mr Steve Ferrol of the Dominica Republic. The Chief Editor of Ajit Group of Publications, Padam Bhushan Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Lovely Group Chairman Mr Ramesh Mittal, Vice Chairman Mr Naresh Mittal, LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal, Pro Chancellor Mrs Rashmi Mittal, Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Kanwar, and Director General Er HR Singla also shared the main dais with the Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering of graduating students, PM Skerrit said, “Believe in yourself, your remarkable country and the Creator. Step out and face the world with a positive attitude; you too, can become a PM, CEO, or a leading global entrepreneur. Your achievements today will be inspiration for the generations after you.” Thanking LPU and complimenting it as one of the most progressive universities of the world, PM Skerrit expressed his strong desire to collaborate with LPU in India for students and culture exchange programmes. Continuing he said, “Geographic boundaries should not be challenges for us. The honour which I have received here, I dedicate the same to the youth of both India and Dominica for their diligence and hard work, and urge them to create and navigate a new globalized world.”
Welcoming the elite guests, graduating students and their parents, LPU Chancellor Mr Ashok Mittal introduced PM Skerrit as a charismatic leader and great visionary, who became PM of his country at the young age of 31. Mr Mittal further said, “In today’s world no one is too young, inexperienced or immature to dream and achieve big things. You have scores of examples before you including the chief guest of the day. All great things achieved in this world, once seemed impossible.”
Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard presented Vote of Thanks. He congratulated the graduating class and advised them, “Life in the university is very different from that world outside. The glue that holds all relationships together is trust, and this trust is based on integrity. Thus the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity. We all know education is a shared commitment between motivated students, dedicated teachers and enthusiastic parents with high expectations. That is why the convocation ceremony is celebrated by students graduating, with their teachers and parents in attendance.”
