Skip to content Skip to navigation

Bodoland University Holds Third Convocation, Celebrates Academic Excellence and Community Empowerment

By AT Kokrajhar Bureau |

Kokrajhar: Bodoland University (BU), a leading educational institution in the Bodoland Territorial Region, hosted its third convocation on Sunday at the Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium in Kokrajhar. Degree certificates were conferred upon graduates and PhD holders from the academic years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24. The ceremonial event was graced by the Chancellor of the university and Governor of Assam, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who personally awarded certificates to the qualified students.

In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Babulal Ahuja highlighted the university's strides in fostering a multidisciplinary learning environment. He emphasized that BU's 90 faculty members across 17 academic departments are dedicated to nurturing curiosity, innovation, and empowering students to realize their aspirations.

Prof. Ahuja proudly shared BU's remarkable growth in research funding, which surged eleven-fold from ₹1.53 crores in 2021-22 to ₹16.62 crores in 2024-25, supporting 28 projects. Additionally, a ₹20 crore grant under the PM-USHA scheme has further enhanced the university's infrastructure and initiatives. Notably, the Biotechnology department secured projects worth ₹12.4 crores, including ₹7.6 crores from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA, awarded to Prof. Jatin Sarmah, and ₹4.8 crores secured by Prof. Sandeep Das through a collaboration with Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.

Highlighting global academic achievements, Prof. Ahuja noted that two faculty members from the Faculty of Science & Technology, Prof. Sanjay Basumatary (Chemistry) and Dr. Hemen Sarma (Botany), were ranked among the world’s Top 2% most-cited scientists for 2024 by Stanford University. Additionally, Dr. Arvind Kumar Goyal from the Centre for Bamboo Studies was also recognized among the top-cited scientists. BU also celebrated securing two groundbreaking patents in the departments of Botany and History.

Prof. Ahuja emphasized BU's role in driving socio-economic transformation through its Technology Incubation Centre, supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, Government of Assam, BTR, and North Eastern Council (NEC). The center has empowered over 10,000 farmers with mushroom cultivation skills and established 137 Rural Skill Centres across the North Eastern States, promoting sustainable livelihoods and fostering a culture of resilience and innovation.

Reflecting on BU’s alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Prof. Ahuja announced the university's ambitious plan to establish 30 new departments, enhancing academic and professional opportunities for students. With support from the Government of Assam and BTR, a new campus is being developed in Udalguri, approximately 240 km from the main campus at Kokrajhar. BU has also been designated as the nodal university by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS) framework for developing textbooks in the Bodo language. The Department of Bodo, led by Prof. Indira Boro, has authored an impressive collection of around 70 books in the Bodo language, reflecting BU's commitment to preserving India’s rich linguistic heritage.

Additionally, the Department of Management Studies at BU offers a functional Hindi course through a certificate program in collaboration with the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis, IIM Shillong, and NEC.

Prof. Ahuja also highlighted BU’s global outreach and academic excellence through 19 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with esteemed organizations such as CSIR-NEIST, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, CIT Kokrajhar, IOCL, Bhattadev University, Gauhati University, the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, United Nations-North East Region, and the Wildlife Trust of India. These collaborations aim to enhance interdisciplinary research, technological advancement, and environmental conservation.

Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya expressed his appreciation for the vibrant convocation ceremony, lauding Bodoland University's commitment to educational upliftment in the region. Pramod Boro, the Chief Executive Member of Bodoland Territorial Region, also attended the event, expressing his delight at witnessing the university's progress.

“I, along with Hon'ble Governor of Assam cum Chancellor of Bodoland University, His Excellency Adarniya Shri Laxman Acharya Ji, am glad to attend the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of this prestigious university. I urged the graduates to utilize their education for the development of a ‘Viksit BTR’ and ‘Viksit Assam’ as skilled human resources. My best wishes for their future endeavors,” Boro stated.

The convocation celebrated not only academic excellence but also BU's transformative role in empowering communities and preserving cultural heritage, marking a milestone in the journey of education and innovation in the Bodoland Territorial Region.

Author info

AT Kokrajhar Bureau's picture

Assam Times Kokrajhar bureau office, BTAD.
  • 11385 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Kokrajhar Erupts in Protest Against Tribal Status to Six Communities

Massive protests swept across Kokrajhar and other districts of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on Thursday evening as the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and several tribal organisations rallied against the Assam Cabinet’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. Thousands of tribal residents—representing ABSU, CCTOA, BTC Tribal Coordination Committee, Tribal Sangha, Garo Students’ Union, All Rabha Students’ Union, Rabha Women Council, Bodo Samaj, Bodo Sahitya Sabha, and others—participated in a large march in Kokrajhar town, asserting that they would “never accept” the inclusion of these communities in the ST list. The protest rally began at Bodofa...

Politics Over Road Construction Sparks Public Outrage in Kokrajhar

Residents of the greater Kali Pukhuri area in Kokrajhar district, predominantly inhabited by the Koch-Rajbongshi community, staged a massive protest on Tuesday, accusing the authorities of halting a crucial road and bridge project for political reasons. The protesters gathered at the Kali Pukhuri Bazaar crossroads, demanding immediate construction of the Balajan–Basugaon connecting road and a permanent bridge over the Champabati River — a vital link for thousands of residents. According to locals, Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma had assured during the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 BTC election campaigns that the Balajan–Basugaon road would be built under the “BB Road – Asom...

Suspected Prime Accused in IED Blast Killed in Kokrajhar Encounter

The suspected prime accused in the recent IED blast on the railway track near Singimari Gate between Kokrajhar and Salakati stations was killed in an encounter with police early Saturday morning. The encounter took place around 6 a.m. along the Nadangiri Hills near Salakati when security forces launched a search operation following intelligence inputs about the movement of suspected militant group members in the area. According to police sources, during the search, an exchange of fire broke out between the police and suspected cadres of the Jharkhand-based NSLA (Naxalite-linked group). The gunfight lasted for several minutes, after which the police recovered the body of one individual...

IED Blast on Railway Track in Kokrajhar, No Casualties Reported

A sense of shock gripped Kokrajhar early today following an IED blast on the railway track between Kokrajhar and Salakati railway stations. The incident, reported around 12:10 a.m., is believed to be the first such blast in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) since the signing of the BTR Peace Accord in January 2020. According to sources, the explosive device was planted near the Singimari railway gate and damaged the track in two sections. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. A goods train had passed through the area just minutes before the blast. Police and railway officials rushed to the site immediately after the incident. Repair work was carried out through the night, and...

Hagrama tsunami in BTAD, UPPL, BJP at a loss

Kokrajhar: The Bodoland People’s Front (BPF), led by Hagrama Mohilary, has secured a landslide victory in the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections, winning 28 out of 40 seats as counting concluded on Friday. The ruling United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) managed to secure only 7 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had to settle for 5 seats. The counting process went on until midnight. Despite its revival efforts under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress failed to open its account, drawing a complete blank. Celebrations erupted across all districts as BPF supporters cheered their candidates’ victories. In several constituencies, BPF candidates...

BPF heading for landslide victory in BTAD

BJP and UPPL are heading towards a decimation in the BTAD polls where counting is currently underway. According to reports, the Hagrama Mohilary-led BPF is taking a huge lead in most of the seats, far ahead of the ruling UPPL, which is leading in only 5 seats. Significantly, the high-profile campaign by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with BJP stars has failed to woo voters, with the party taking the lead in only 2–3 seats. If this trend continues till 1 in the afternoon, BPF will be able to ensure a landslide victory. On the other hand, the resurgent Congress has also failed to take lead in any constituency.

Shadow Over Assam’s Electoral Rolls Amid Election Preparations in Kokrajhar

Allegations of irregularities in Assam’s ongoing electoral roll revision have raised fresh concerns, even as election preparations gathered pace in Kokrajhar district. Reports suggest that duplicate and doubtful voters remain in the rolls, while many genuine citizens continue to face exclusion, fueling fears of malpractice ahead of the polls. Against this backdrop, Election Observers Anupam Choudhury, ACS, and Md. Jabed Arman, ACS, of Kokrajhar Sadar sub-division conducted a training-cum-briefing session for Micro Observers and Sector Zonal Officers at Kokrajhar Government College on Monday. The session was also attended by master trainers. Choudhury, Observer for 10-Debargaon (ST),...

National Sports Day Observed at SAI Kokrajhar

KOKRAJHAR, AUG 29: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centre in Kokrajhar joined the rest of the state in celebrating National Sports Day 2025 on Friday. The three-day event, running from August 29 to 31, was held in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The programme opened with floral tributes to Dhyan Chand and the Fit India Pledge, followed by a friendly hockey match among SAI students. The celebration is part of the Fit India Mission, aiming to promote sports participation and healthy living. Observed annually on August 29, National Sports Day commemorates Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary and has been recognised nationally since 2012. It was also the launch platform...

Bodoland University Gets Its First Science Innovation Hub

Bodoland University marked a new milestone in science education with the inauguration of its first Science Innovation Hub for Physics at the university campus. The facility was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor Prof. B. L. Ahuja in the presence of faculty members and students from various science departments. In his address, Prof. Ahuja announced that the hub will gradually be expanded into a full-fledged centre covering all branches of science, equipped with modern instruments. He highlighted that such initiatives are vital for nurturing scientific curiosity and promoting innovation among the youth of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The hub currently hosts 30 working science...

Bodoland University Opens Udalguri Campus, Expanding Higher Education in BTR

In a milestone for education in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the Udalguri Campus of Bodoland University was inaugurated on Wednesday at Udalguri College. The new campus, part of the BTR government’s “Smart Bodoland” vision, aims to enhance access to higher education for students in Udalguri district and neighbouring areas. Chief Executive Member (CEM) of BTR, Pramod Boro, formally inaugurated the facility in the presence of Bodoland University Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.L. Ahuja, Registrar Dr. Subung Basumatary, ABSU president Dipen Boro, Bodo Sahitya Sabha general secretary Nilakanta Goyary, along with academicians, principals, senior citizens, students, and guardians. From...