Reflections on Virtual Graduation

On a day the lawns of Jain (Deemed-to-be University) campus should have come alive with a sea of humanity – the graduating class making their way through the portals of Jain, for annual passing out ritual characterised by them donning graduation gowns and hats, and their proud families -- all that was palpable was an eerie silence.

It has been this way for some time now, ever since the global pandemic Coronavirus (Covid-19) forced colleges and universities across the country to close campuses and switch to the online teaching-learning model.

Dr. Priyanca Mathur - Associate Professor, CERSSE, JAIN chaired the session and gave the intro- ductory comments highlighting the watershed moment of the Biden-Harris victory in world history and the novel path the American Government is poised to embark on. The panelists reflected on all dimensions of this grand event in international relations, through the lens of its impact on South Asia by large but Indo-U.S. Relations in partic- ular. Attended by academicians, research scholars and students, the webinar reflected on this transfer of power with the depar- ture of former President Donald Trump from his office.

However, keeping at bay all the odds associated with the novel corona virus, the 10th Annual Convocation Ceremony went virtual on 23 January 2021 with students tuned into a prerecorded celebration from their laptops at home, the first of its kind in the university’s history.