A total of 2,627 students from institutions under Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri, received certificates at the Graduation Day programme held at the Nudisiri Vedike on the Alva’s campus on Saturday.

Addressing the graduates, former Vice Chancellor of Karnataka Folklore University, Haveri, Chinnappa Gowda, asked them to uphold the values and character associated with their alma mater. He said a degree gets value only when supported by knowledge, competence and integrity. “What you have learnt and how you have transformed yourself are more important than the infrastructure around you.”

The former Vice Chancellor said graduates were stepping into an increasingly competitive world where knowledge alone was insufficient. Character building, discipline, social responsibility and continuous learning were essential for success, he said.

Graduates Kekesana, Anjana M. and Naoren Singh received the P.B. Acharya Award, while Gowthami B. received the Sitaram Jindal Gold Medal. Chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation M. Mohan Alva, trustee Vivek Alva, and principals of institutions under the foundation were present at the programme.