26th annual convocation at Goa varsity

Panaji: 187 rankers and 66 medal winners will be awarded at the 26th annual convocation of Goa University (GU), at the varsity's Jubilee Hall on January 7. Former alumni of Goa Engineering College affiliated to GU and founder member of Mastek Limited which is a multinational information technology services company; Ashank Desai, will be the ceremony's keynote speaker.

Desai's Mastek Limited falls under the list of India's oldest software companies. It plays a major part in the US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Middle East. Desai has served as the company's chairperson. He also has a degree from Ahmedabad's Indian Institute of Management. Desai graduated in mechanical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

The convocation ceremony will see more than 7,000 students receive graduate degrees, more than 100 postgraduate diplomas, more than 900 post graduate degrees and another 30-odd doctorates.

Over nine areas of studies is included for awarding, some of which are language and literature, natural sciences, social sciences, engineering, medicine, commerce, life sciences, law and environment and management studies. Bharat Vir Wanchoo, governor of Goa and chancellor of Goa University will be present at the function. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 am.