Hyderabad : Osmania University, a century-old institution renowned for its academic excellence, is gearing up for its 83rd convocation, scheduled for October 31, 2023. However, amid the anticipation and excitement of awarding gold medals to top-performing students, there’s a notable absence: Genetics.
The university, located in Hyderabad, a city celebrated as the “world’s vaccine capital” and home to Genome Valley, a hub for life sciences research and development, faces an intriguing predicament. Despite the grandeur and significant investments in the name of Genome Valley, Osmania University seems to lack the financial resources to honor its Genetics toppers with gold medals.
In an interview with The Hans India, a university official revealed that a total of 57 top rankers will receive gold medals during the upcoming convocation. However, there are no gold medals allocated for students excelling in the M.Sc Genetics program and a few other courses.
The reason behind this disparity lies in the funding for gold medals. The university relies on endowments provided by donors to establish gold medal awards, as it does not receive sufficient financial support from the state government for this purpose. As a result, students in certain departments, including Genetics, find themselves without the recognition they deserve.
In response to this situation, Vishnu Vachana Murapaka, an M.Sc student in the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology at Osmania University, penned an email to the State Governor and Chancellor of the university. She expressed her disappointment and concern about the lack of gold medals for top-performing students in her department.
Vishnu Vachana highlighted her academic achievements, having secured an impressive 8.75 CGPA out of 10 and earning a first division with distinction in 2002, while also being a university topper in Genetics. She questioned the absence of gold medals for her department and others like it, contrasting this with the recognition accorded to students in various other fields.
Furthermore, Vishnu Vachana raised a thought-provoking query to the Chancellor, asking whether it was her fault for choosing a department that had struggled to secure donors for gold medals. This discrepancy has left toppers like her feeling marginalized and excluded from the convocation hall, where their peers receive gold medals and public recognition.
As Osmania University’s 83rd convocation draws near, it remains to be seen if the issue of gold medals for Genetics toppers, and potentially others in a similar position, will receive attention and a resolution.
