Assam down town University (AdtU) held its 13th Convocation Ceremony at its Panikhaiti campus in Guwahati on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the academic journey of the University and its graduating students. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of 1,885 students and scholars, comprising 1,427 undergraduate students, 436 postgraduate students, and 22 Ph.D. scholars. Among them were 95 international students from eight countries who received their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
The ceremony was graced by Shri Keshab Mahanta, Hon’ble Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Science and Technology, and General Administration Department, Government of Assam, as the Chief Guest. Smt. Febin M.F., Head – L&T EduTech, Larsen & Toubro Limited, attended as the Special Guest and addressed the graduating students.
A major highlight of the convocation was the conferment of the Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) (Honoris Causa) upon Shri Sarat Kumar Jain, CMD, SM Group, and Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Assam State Council, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business and industry. The ceremony also recognised outstanding academic and professional achievements among the graduating cohort, including the awarding of gold medals to Mr. Pragyan Kalita and Mr. Juganta Kr. Kalita for Best Undergraduate and Best Postgraduate respectively.
Mr. Subhankar Das, MBA, Faculty of Commerce & Management, was honoured as the Best Placement Achiever of AdtU 2026, while Mr. Nawang Dondup, MBA, Faculty of Commerce & Management, received the AdtU Alumni Award for Inspiring Achievement 2026. The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Hon’ble Governor of Assam’s Medal to meritorious students by the Hon’ble Minister, Government of Assam. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) N.
C. Talukdar, highlighted the University’s continued progress in academics, research, innovation, placements, and international engagement. During the year, 125 on-campus placement drives and a mega job-cum-internship fair involving more than 200 companies enabled 961 graduating students to secure employment, while another 234 students progressed to higher education in reputed institutions in India and abroad.
The University’s research and innovation achievements included ₹16 crore in extramural research funding, 415 research papers published in reputed journals, 33 published patents, and seven granted patents. The University’s innovation ecosystem currently supports 59 student innovation teams and four student start-ups, alongside initiatives under the NIDHI Inclusive Technology Business Incubator and TIDE programmes. Addressing the graduating students, Prof. (Dr.) Talukdar urged them to carry forward the knowledge, skills, and values acquired at the University and contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.
He encouraged the graduates to continue learning, questioning, and growing while pursuing excellence with integrity, compassion, courage, and a strong sense of responsibility. Special Guest Smt. Febin M.F. encouraged the Class of 2026 to remain curious, adaptable, and open to new possibilities as they enter a rapidly changing professional landscape.
Drawing from her own career journey, she emphasised the importance of curiosity, character, and the ability to ask meaningful questions in an era of rapid technological advancement and artificial intelligence. The Chancellor, Dr. Narendra Nath Dutta, reflected on the University’s journey from its beginnings in 2010 with 163 students to its present stature. He noted that across its thirteen convocations, AdtU has conferred 11,218 degrees, comprising 8,420 undergraduate, 2,653 postgraduate, and 145 doctoral degrees.
The ceremony concluded with the graduates formally entering a new chapter beyond university life. For AdtU, the occasion marked both a celebration of the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and a reaffirmation of its commitment to developing capable, responsible, and socially conscious professionals.
