The century-old University of Mysore (UoM) may choose khadi or a handloom fabric for convocation robe and a committee has been constituted to look for a suitable alternative to the western-style ceremonial gown worn during the annual event.
The university, one of the country’s oldest centres of higher learning, recently conducted its 100th convocation which was virtually addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vice-Chancellor G. Hemantha Kumar, who chaired the Syndicate meeting here on Wednesday, told The Hindu that a committee under the Registrar (Evaluation) has been constituted to study the alternatives found to the ceremonial gowns by other universities and make recommendations. “There were suggestions from the UGC on convocation robes. The UGC had advised khadi as the dress code. Some universities have already replaced the gowns with khadi clothing. In view of suggestions for replacing the gowns, suitably with khadi, we thought of doing it now and the Syndicate gave its nod,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, however, said the university has to bring changes to the statute for replacing the convocation robe and also seek the nod from the government. “Hopefully, by the next convocation, a new outfit for the occasion may take birth.”
