Vice President Hamid Ansari has called for defending universities as free spaces, as independent critical repositories of knowledge.<br/><br/>Delivering the 66th Convocational Address at the Punjab University in Chandigarh today, he said, freedom of our universities has been challenged by narrow considerations of what is perceived to be public good.<br/><br/>Sharing his thoughts on the importance of universities in our society, the Vice President said, universities are sources of liberal values that provide avenues of social mobility and equality to people. <br/><br/>The Vice President said, universities should take all legal action necessary to defend their academic integrity and freedom. He said that except in cases of illegal conduct or violence, a University should never seek to silence or influence faculty members or students to adopt or renounce any particular position.<br/><br/>On this occasion of Convocation Vice-President conferred honorary D.Litt degree to former Union Minister Dr Murli Manohar Joshi. He also awarded Vice Chancellor of National Bhabha Institute, Dr Parshotam Dass Gupta with Vigyan Rattan. Agricultural scientist Doctor Gurdev Singh Khush was awarded with Green Revolution Rattan. Eminent Punjabi writer Dr Dalip Kaur Tiwana was awarded with Sahitya Rattan.<br/><br/>On this occasion more than 400 students including 313 women were awarded degrees and medals for their achievements in different fields.

Vice President Hamid Ansari has called for defending universities as free spaces, as independent critical repositories of knowledge. Delivering the 66th Convocational Address at the Punjab University in Chandigarh today, he said, freedom of our universities has been challenged by narrow considerations of what is perceived to be public good. <br/><br/>Sharing his thoughts on the importance of universities in our society, the Vice President said, universities are sources of liberal values that provide avenues of social mobility and equality to people. <br/><br/>Mr. Ansari said, the right of dissent and agitation are ingrained in the fundamental rights under our Constitution, which sets out a plural framework and refuses any scope to define the country in narrow sectarian, ideological or religious terms. He said, a University must foster an environment that prizes intellectual freedom. <br/><br/>The Vice President said, universities should take all legal action necessary to defend their academic integrity and freedom. He said that except in cases of illegal conduct or violence, a University should never seek to silence or influence faculty members or students to adopt or renounce any particular position.

Vice President Hamid Ansari has called for defending universities as free spaces, as independent critical repositories of knowledge. Delivering the 66th Convocational Address at the Punjab University in Chandigarh today, he said, freedom of our universities has been challenged by narrow considerations of what is perceived to be public good. <br/><br/>Sharing his thoughts on the importance of universities in our society, the Vice President said, universities are sources of liberal values that provide avenues of social mobility and equality to people. <br/><br/>Mr. Ansari said, the right of dissent and agitation are ingrained in the fundamental rights under our Constitution, which sets out a plural framework and refuses any scope to define the country in narrow sectarian, ideological or religious terms. He said, a University must foster an environment that prizes intellectual freedom. <br/><br/>The Vice President said, universities should take all legal action necessary to defend their academic integrity and freedom. He said that except in cases of illegal conduct or violence, a University should never seek to silence or influence faculty members or students to adopt or renounce any particular position.