Prem Kumar K.E. and his parents, Eshwar Rao and Lakshmi Bai, are filled with pride as he prepares to receive multiple honours for his academic achievements.

Kumar, whose father works as a light commercial vehicle driver and his mother a homemaker, is set to receive 11 gold medals and four gold medal certificates at the 60th convocation of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, which will be held on the GKVK Campus, Bengaluru.

Hailing from Kudiyanur village in Kolar, Kumar secured a total OGPA of 9.102 as a BSc (Hons) Agriculture student at the College of Agriculture, GKVK, Bengaluru.  

“I’m extremely happy, and so are my parents, that my hard work has paid off and is being recognised with these awards,” he said. 

Currently pursuing his postgraduate degree at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, Kumar plans to do a PhD after completing his master’s and appear for the civil services exams. 

“My dream is to become an Indian Administrative Services officer. My teachers have been very supportive and believe that I have the potential for it,” he said.

Girl students shine

During the convocation, 140 gold medals and certificates will be awarded to 55 students who secured outstanding ranks during the academic year 2024-25.

Female students have emerged as top performers, with 35 students across bachelors, master's and doctoral programmes collectively securing 97 medals and certificates, compared to 43 won by 20 male students.

While 59 gold medals will be awarded in the Undergraduate Degree Programme, 68 will be awarded in the Postgraduate Degree Programme, and 13 in the Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme. A large number of gold medallists come from farming backgrounds.  

Governor to preside

Governor and Chancellor of UAS Thaawarchand Gehlot will preside over the ceremony where 1,115 students will be conferred with various degrees. 

As many as 747 students will receive their bachelor’s degrees, 260 students will receive master’s degrees, and 108 students will receive doctoral degrees.

N. Cheluvarayaswamy, Minister for Agriculture and Pro-Chancellor of UAS(B), M. Jagadesh Kumar, former Chairman, University Grants Commission, New Delhi, and S.V. Suresha, Vice-Chancellor, UAS(B) will participate in the event.

Honorary doctorate degrees will be conferred upon G.V.K. Naidu, chairman and managing director of Sam Agri Fresh Private Limited; Srikantha H.K, agricultural entrepreneur, progressive farmer, and social worker; and Aravind T.M, a pioneer in the adoption of high-tech precision farming, in recognition of their commendable service in the field of agriculture.