Over 200 prisoners to graduate from BRAOU; two bag gold medals

Dr BR Ambedkar Open University will confer degrees to 203 prisoners during its XXVI convocation, with two inmates winning gold medals. The university also plans to award 53 PhDs, two MPhils, and honorary doctorates to Goreti Venkanna and Prem Rawat

Hyderabad: As many as 203 prisoners are set to graduate, and two prison inmates will be honoured with gold medals for their academic excellence during the Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) XXVI convocation ceremony scheduled for September 30.

Of the total graduating prisoners, 168, including 149 men and 19 women, will receive undergraduate degrees. Postgraduate degrees will be conferred on 35 prisoners – 34 men and one woman – for completing their academics during 2023-24. Doppalpudi Nagaraja Kumari from Central Prison Rajahmundry, AP, and Gunakal Yugandhar from Central Prison Kadapa have bagged gold medals.

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BRAOU has extended opportunities for reformation through education in the prisons of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh until 2024, as mandated in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 for 10 years. The university set up study centres in Central Prison, Cherlapally, Telangana, and Central Prisons in Rajahmundry, Kadapa, and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.

Overall, 60,288 candidates, including 32,373 women learners, are eligible to receive degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Seven transgender students will also receive their degrees.

Fifty-three PhDs and two MPhil degrees will be awarded. The university will present 86 gold medals for academic excellence, including 67 for women and 19 for men.

Dr BRAOU Vice Chancellor Prof Ghanta Chakrapani said the university will confer honorary doctorates on Goreti Venkanna, lyricist and poet, for his contribution to Telugu literature, and Prem Rawat, a Peace Educator, for his work worldwide in improving health, increasing school enrolment, and reducing crime rates. IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof Uma Kanjilal will be the chief guest.