117 Students Awarded BS-MS Dual Degree At IISER Berhampur Convocation

Berhampur: A total of 117 students, including 116 belonging to the 2019 batch and one from 2018 of the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) Berhampur, were awarded BS-MS dual degree on Wednesday.

The students were awarded dual degree with major in Biological/ Chemical/ Mathematical and Physical Sciences at the 4th convocation of IISER at the permanent campus Laudigam, 25-km from here.

Five PhD students completed their doctoral dissertations, while two integrated PhD students are graduating with their MS degrees.

Harish Mishra from the Department of Physical Sciences awarded the President’s Gold Medal for the best academic performance in the graduating class across all disciplines of the BS-MS Dual Degree programme.

Sai Kaarthik from the Department of Physical Sciences awarded the Director’s Gold Medal for an outstanding all-round achievement and leadership in the graduating class across all disciplines of the BS-MS programme.

Former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who was the Chief Guest, emphasised the need for in-depth research in science and technology and made India as the epic-centre in scientific research. While lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his slogan “Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” and provision of Rs 1 lakh crore in the budget for Science and Research over the next 5 years, Harsh urged the young scientists high for quality research in India. We have to ensure ‘Bikasit Bharat’ by 2027 and scientists have a great role to achieve this, he said. The spirit of the young scientists would make the world a better place to live in, he said.

Prof. Ashok Kumar Ganguly, Director of IISER Berhampur who presided over the convocation, congratulated all the students for their success. “All of them have done exceedingly well and are looking forward to a great future. We pride ourselves to focus on student centric policies and a holistic and all-round development of their responsibility. You are now stepping into the real world and how to handle yourself will give a feedback on the quality of education imbibed. May you all work to make the world a better place”, Prof Ashok said.

Since its inception three batches of students, a total of 208, have graduated with BS-MS degree from IISER Berhampur across various disciplines like Biological, Chemical, Mathematical and physical Sciences.

The 1st Convocation of IISER Berhampur was held on October 28, 2021 in which 45 students belonging to the 2016 batch were awarded BS-MS dual degree. 62 BS-MS students belonging to the 2017 batch were awarded BS-MS dual degree at the second convocation of IISER at the permanent campus on August 25, 2022. A total of 102 BS-MS students belonging to the 2018 batch were awarded BS-MS dual degree at the third convocation of IISER at the permanent campus on July 21, 2023.

IISER Berhampur established in 2016, was later declared as the institute of National importance under NITSER Act 2007. On October 10, 2018 the Union Cabinet approved the DPR of IISER Berhampur. On December 17, 2018 the master plan of the campus was prepared. On December 24, 2018 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the permanent campus. On September 5, 2019 IISER Berhampur performed the ground breaking ceremony.

220-acres of land in Laoudigaon was identified by the Ganjam district administration for the permanent campus for this premier institute which was approved by the Union Ministry. IISER Berhampur used the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Berhampur as the transit campus.

Presently the institute is functioning at both the campuses simultaneously. The construction of the permanent campus at Laudigaon is in the advanced stage with approximately 92 percent of physical progress. Already 15 out of 29 buildings in IISER Berhampur permanent campus were dedicated to the nation by the PM Narendra Modi through video conference von February 20 last.

The number of faculty members increased to 49 supported by a dedicated team of 37 administrative staff members.