KATHMANDU, Dec 18: Tribhuvan University (TU) has set a world record in the ‘Official World Record’ for graduating the highest number of students in the world at once during a convocation ceremony.
The Official World Record (OWR) has awarded a certificate to TU, for an unprecedented physical presence of more than 26,000, including female participation, overall participation (parents, awardees, and guests), graduating students, and the grandest convocation in history.
The 49th convocation ceremony took place on December 18 (today) at Dasharath Stadium. The entry was open for students starting at 10 AM, and the official program commenced at 11:30 AM.
Do records matter for TU more than quality education?
Peshal Dahal, the registrar of TU, said, "More than 74,000 students are graduating in the 49th convocation ceremony at the stadium in Tripureshwor. However, the number of students receiving certificates during the convocation ceremony is 12,415."
A total of 12,415 graduates from various disciplines took part in the event held in the presence of President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal.
Though a total of 74,749 graduates (Bachelor's, Master's, MPhil and PhD degrees) were in the TU's grace list for the participations in the Convocation, a total of 12,415: 8,098 towards the Bachelor's degree, 4,104 towards the Master's degree, 44 towards MPhil and 112 under the PhD applied for it.
Registrar Dahal added, “TU had applied to the OWR, claiming to graduate the highest number of students in the world. A representative from the OWR has also arrived in Nepal for this purpose.”
Speaking on the occasion, TU acting Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Shivalal Bhusal said TU graduates under various levels from different faculties, who were passed out from mid-June 2022 to mid-May, 2023 were eligible for taking part in the 49th Convocation.
The previous Convocation witnessed the participation of 10,300 students. Citing challenges to encourage TU graduates to seek careers within the country, he pledged to promote entrepreneurship from the academic intervention.
This year, the convocation ceremony moved to Dasharath Stadium due to its larger capacity, departing from the traditional venue at Pulchowk Engineering College. The stadium is expected to accommodate the massive number of graduates and their parents, bringing the total number of attendees for this historic event to an estimated 28,000.
“As people around the world observe, this accomplishment has the potential to create a new benchmark for academic achievements globally,” Registar Dahal said, “The excitement leading up to the event is tangible, and the result could be a moment of pride, not only for the university but for the entire nation of Nepal.”
