Mangaluru : Mangalore University will confer Honoris Causa on three eminent personalities— Prof Goverdhan Mehta, Shashi Kiran Shetty and Prof B V R Chowdari, during the 33rd annual convocation, on June 17 at 11 am.

Briefing reporters, on Tuesday, Vice Chancellor Prof K Byrappa said Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru former director Prof Goverdhan Mehta will deliver convocation address while Chancellor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala will preside.

The VC said Prof Mehta is an outstanding academician and scientist of national repute who had made contributions to science especially in the field of organic chemistry. He is a fellow of Royal Society, UK. At present, he is the National Research Professor and Jubiliant-Bhartiya Chair Professor School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad. He has won Lifetime AChievement Award of the Indian Chemical Society and “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur” awarded by the President of France.

Shashikiran Shetty is an entrepreneur, industrialist and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of Allcargo Logistics Ltd. As a multinational venture, Allcargo Logistics has about 200 offices in 90 countries.

Shetty has launched Avashya Foundation in India for social welfare schemes encompassing national disaster relief, health care, education, sports, women empowerment and environment sustainability. He has won highest Belgiancivil honour— “Distinction of Commander of Leopoldll.”

While Prof B V R Chowdari is executive director of India Research Initiatives for fostering collaborative research between the National University of Singapore and universities and institutes of higher learning in India.

The India-Singapore initiative has so far facilitated the training of more than 1000 Indian students at different laboratories of National University of Singapore. Prof Chowdari was the founder president of the Asian Society for Iconics, President of the Materials Research Society of Singapore and International Union of Materials Research Societies. Mangalore University will also award 88 Doctor of Philosophy degrees (Arts- 11, Science- 63, Commerce- 9 and Education- 5). There will be 37 gold medals and 63 cash prizes. In total, there are 57 ranks (PG- 40 and UG –17: Arts- 14; Science and Technology- 30; Commerce- 9; Education- 3 and PG Diploma- 01). Out of 34,627 candidates appeared for the examinations during 2013-14, 23,385 (67.53 per cent) passed.

As far as PG courses were concerned, out of 4,829 candidates appeared, 4,579 (94.82 per cent) passed ; out of 29,708 UG students appeared 18,716 (63 percent) passed and out of two PG Diploma candidates appeared for the examinations, both have passed.

With regard to the gender composition of total number of candidates passed, out of 23,385, as many as 8,155 (34.87 per cent) were boys and the girls represented 15,230 (65.13 per cent). Out of 23,385 candidates passed, 1,315 (PhD—88, PG— 304, UG—923) will receive their degree in person. Registrar Prof P S Yadapadithaya and Registrar (Evaluation) Prof B Narayana were present.