Finally, West Asian student gets degree from GND University

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 19

Shiva, a student from West Asia, who has been stuck here in the city for the past one month to get her master’s degree in religious studies from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), has finally got it after Amritsar Tribune highlighted her ordeal on Monday.

She had arrived in the city on February 17 after the GNDU had invited her to receive her degree at its convocation ceremony slated for February 19. However, the convocation was postponed for an indefinite period due to certain circumstances and she had been stuck here since then.

She wanted her degree in absentia but could not pay the required fee to the university as she had run out of money owing to the living expenses that she had to incur in the city. According to the GNDU rules, if anyone wishes to get his/her degree before convocation, an amount of Rs 2,500 is to be paid and the degree in absentia after the convocation costs just Rs 100.

She was helped by a good samaritan, Surinder Singh, the president of the Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association, with a free accommodation in his guest house.

Now, Karanjeet Singh Kahlon, Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, has paid the fee to help the student. Kahlon, in a press statement issued here on Monday, said, “As per rules of the university, if the degree is to be obtained in absentia, the requisite fee has to be paid. But in this case, keeping in view the hardships the student has faced, we have arranged for her fee.”